YouTube as a Source of Information on Tanning Bed Use

Eric W. Hossler, Michael P. Conroy
2008 Archives of Dermatology  
bidity (n=13), 10% reporting 2 (n = 7), and 3% reporting 3 comorbidities (n = 2). Fatigue was the most frequently experienced symptom (n=41; 55%) ( Table) , followed by pain (n=24; 32%) and itch (n=16; 22%). Forty-six patients experienced at least 1 of the 3 symptoms (62%), while 27 patients reported at least 1 severe symptom (VAS Ͼ50 mm) (36%). Most patients with generalized morphea (n=15; 94%) and eosinophilic fasciitis (n = 9; 75%) reported fatigue. Pain and itch were experienced most often
more » ... y patients with eosinophilic fasciitis. Fatigue, itch, and pain were significantly related to a lower disease-related quality of life (r=0.62, r=0.44, and r=0.43, respectively) (PϽ.01). Fatigue and pain, but not itch, were significantly associated with greater selfreported disease severity (r = 0.39 and r = 0.37, respectively) (P Ͻ .01). Fatigue was significantly related to a shorter duration since diagnosis of the sclerotic disease (r =0.27) (P Ͻ.05). Comment. Fatigue, pain, and/or itch were experienced by 62% of patients (n = 46). Fatigue was the most commonly reported symptom. Correlations with the DLQI, disease severity, and duration indicate that the physical symptoms were consequences of skin disease and might be particularly relevant in the early stages. Most patients with generalized morphea and eosinophilic fasciitis reported fatigue, and a substantial proportion of patients noted severe fatigue. Patients with eosinophilic fasciitis particularly reported pain and itch. In eosinophilic fasciitis, the sclerosis is more extensive and deeper than it is in localized morphea, and it is associated with peripheral eosinophilia. These facts may explain why patients with eosinophilic fasciitis experienced more pain and itch than other patients. The study has several limitations, such as absence of a control group and small sample sizes, thus limiting comparison possibilities. Also, more detailed assessments of comorbidities and medications would be worthwhile. The disease severity was based on patient assessment rather than physician assessment. The questionnaires were not necessarily completed during a stage of active disease; thus, the presence and severity of symptoms might have been underestimated. 2 This study describes the high impact of fatigue, pain, and to a lesser extent itch in patients with localized scleroderma and eosinophilic fasciitis. Physicians should be encouraged to assess these symptoms and, where appropriate, focus treatment on them.
doi:10.1001/archderm.144.10.1395 pmid:18936411 fatcat:4lur2gpi25crdpont4entwkbrq