ATOPIC DERMATITIS AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University

2 Dermatology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University

3 Pediatrics Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University

Abstract

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a pruritic disease that usually starts in early infancy with an international prevalence rate of 15– 30% in children and 2-10% in adults. Measuring the impact of AD on the quality of life is very useful as it allows patients to express their feelings and appreciate their physicians' concerns. It improves doctor-patient communication and helps in disease management. Objectives: A cross sectional observational study that was conducted aimed to determine the effect of atopic dermatitis on the quality of life among children and adolescents attending dermatology outpatient clinics at Kasr Al Ainy hospital and Pediatric specialized hospital, during the period from November 2015 to June 2016.
Methods: A sample of 400 children, adolescents and their families were included in the study. They were asked to fill the QOL questionnaires (Children Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and Dermatitis Family Impact questionnaire (DFI).
Results: Results of the study showed that 48% of AD patients aged (6-16) has very large effect on QOL, 47.3% have extremely large effect and 4.8% have moderate effect while 52% of AD patients aged (16-18) has extremely large effect on QOL and 47% have very large effect. Families of AD patients have very large effect on QOL where 44% have extremely large effect. Conclusion: This study concluded that AD has a negative impact on the QOL of children, adolescent and their families irrespective to socio-demographic and socioeconomic factors.

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