Genital Pruritus Linked to Longer, Costlier Admissions for Psychiatric Care

Increased length of psychiatric hospitalization is associated with the presence of genital pruritus, according to study results presented at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Association 2023 conference, held from March 17 to March 21, 2023, in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Researchers collected hospital admissions data from 2012 to 2015 of men and women aged 18 years and older who were admitted for a primary diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder with secondary diagnoses of pruritus. Pruritus disorders included in the analysis were pruritus of the genitals, prurigo nodularis, pruritus ani, other specified pruritus, unspecified pruritus, and other prurigo.

To assess the data, the researchers used survey-weighted means and prevalence, survey-weighted binary logistic and linear regressions, and the SPSS Complex Samples module to account for National Inpatient Sample complex sampling methods. They then determined the incidence of admissions due to primary psychiatric diagnosis, length of hospital stay, and total hospital cost.

Presenting with genital pruritus was significantly associated with psychiatric disorders (odds ratio [OR] 3.51; 95% CI, 2.96-4.16), and the association was higher compared with other types of pruritus disorders.

Participants with psychiatric admissions who presented with genital pruritus remained admitted for inpatient care for an average of 2.37 (mean difference [SE], 0.30) days longer than individuals with psychiatric admission who did not present with genital pruritus. The cost of hospitalization for individuals with genital pruritus was an average of $10,644 (SE, 2743) higher than for individuals without genial pruritus. Individuals with other types of pruritus did not have the same degree of increased duration or cost of stay.

Study authors conclude,”[G]enital pruritus was associated with higher inpatient burden (eg, length of stay and cost) and increased odds of psychiatric hospitalization compared to other types of pruritus among itchy inpatient adults.”

Disclosure: One study author declared affiliations with the pharmaceutical industry. Please see the original reference for a full list of authors’ disclosures.