PN
Also written as: PN — Prurigo Nodularis
Abbreviation for prurigo nodularis, a chronic neuroimmune skin disorder characterised by intensely pruritic hyperkeratotic nodules.
Full Definition
PN is the widely used clinical abbreviation for prurigo nodularis, employed in dermatology research articles, regulatory submissions, and clinical guidelines. The abbreviation has gained prominence following the approval of biologic therapies specifically indicated for PN. Editors must define PN at first mention in any manuscript, as the abbreviation may also stand for 'peripheral neuropathy' in other medical specialties. When editing multi-specialty documents, disambiguation is essential to avoid ambiguity across readerships.
Usage
Usage note: Always define at first use; PN is polysemous across medicine (peripheral neuropathy, parenteral nutrition).
In Context
- "After FDA approval of dupilumab for PN, the abbreviation became standard in dermatology literature." — Regulatory affairs document
- "The editor added a parenthetical definition—'prurigo nodularis (PN)'—at first use, as the abbreviation PN carries multiple meanings across specialties." — Cross-specialty editorial note