Relationship between quality of life and disease severity of children with atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) has a detrimental impact on the quality of life (QoL) for both patients and their families. Our investigation delved into the correlation between the severity of the disease and the QoL experienced by individuals with AD.

This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study included AD children, between 0 to 16 years of age, along with their parents. The influence of childhood AD on parents' QoL was studied using several questionnaires, which measures four areas of physical health, mental health, social relations, and environmental health.

Of 100 AD children, 52% were boys and 48% were girls with a mean age of 5.96 ± 4.72 years. Ninety percent of children had moderate AD. The mean score of QoL for children aged 5-16 years (CDQOL questionnaire) was 17.51, and for children aged 0-4 years (IDQOL questionnaire) was 15.80. The mean score of parents' QoL, according to the FDLQI questionnaire, was 13.90, and according to the DFI questionnaire, it was 6.39. The mean scores of health and QoL in four areas of physical health, mental health, social relations, and environmental health were 20.79, 17.75, 9.72, and 25.9, respectively. There was a significant correlation between disease severity and scores obtained from CDQOL and IDQOL questionnaires (p < 0.001).  

Childhood AD had a greater impact on QoL of parents in the areas of social relationships and psychological well-being. The influence of AD on the QoL of family members is significant, and this should be taken into account in the therapeutic process.