Journal List > Pediatr Allergy Respir Dis > v.22(1) > 1033214

Cho, Lee, Suh, Yu, Lee, Park, Kim, Chang, Kim, Han, and Ahn: Change in Quality of Life according to the Change in Atopic Dermatitis Severity

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to longitudinally examine the correlation between the change of atopic dermatitis (AD) severity and the change of quality of life (QOL).

Methods

We assessed AD severity and QOL of patients and their families, by a prospective followed up for at least 12 months. AD severity was assessed, using the scoring of atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) index. A questionnaire based on dermatitis family impact (DFI), infants' dermatologic quality of life (IDQoL) and children's dermatology life quality index (CDLQI) were used to determine QOL.

Results

Seventy-nine AD patients were assessed for total and objective SCORAD and DFI. Among them, 45 patients that were less than 36 months old completed IDQoL and 13 patients that were equal to or more than 36 months old completed CDLQI. Objective SCORAD (oSCORAD) were correlated with DFI (r=0.235), IDQoL (r=0.602) and CDLQI (r=0.589) (P<0.05). At the 2nd interview, median oSCORAD (from 17.4 to 7.8), DFI (from 23.0 to 18.0) and IDQoL (from 9.0 to 6.0) were significantly decreased (P<0.01). The changes of oSCORAD were linearly related with the change of IDQoL (P<0.01), but neither with DFI (P=0.356) nor with CDLQI (P=0.267). Of the 64 patients with decreased oSCORAD, food allergy was accompanied more frequently in those with an increased DFI than those with a decreased DFI (60.7% vs. 27.8%, P<0.01).

Conclusion

In this longitudinal study, the improvement of AD severity is correlated with the improvement of the patient's QOL, under the age of 3. To improve the family's QOL, we need to find out accompanying factors, such as food allergy, and to support the family accordingly.

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1
Relationship between the changes in objective SCORAD and Quality of life indexes. SCORAD, scoring of atopic dermatitis; DFI, dermatitis family index; IDQoL, infants' dermatitis quality of life index; CDLQI, children's dermatology life quality index.
pard-22-86-g001
Table 1
Demographic and Social Characteristics of Patients and Their Families (n=79)
pard-22-86-i001

IQR, interquartile range.

Table 2
Correlation Coefficients among Total SCORAD, Objective SCORAD and Quality of Life Indexes
pard-22-86-i002

SCORAD, scoring of atopic dermatitis; DFI, dermatitis family index; IDQoL, infants' dermatitis quality of life index; CDLQI, children's dermatology life quality index.

*P<0.05. P<0.01.

Table 3
Change in the Severity of Atopic Dermatitis and Quality of Life Indexes
pard-22-86-i003

Values are presented as median (interquartile range).

SCORAD, scoring of atopic dermatitis; DFI, dermatitis family index; IDQoL, infants' dermatitis quality of life index; CDLQI, children's dermatology life quality index.

*Paired t-test. Wilcoxon singed rank test.

Table 4
Comparison of Clinical Features between "Improved Group" and "not Improved Group" in Dermatitis Family Index (DFI)
pard-22-86-i004

Values are presented as mean±SD or number (%).

SCORAD, scoring of atopic dermatitis; DFI, dermatitis family index.

*Two sample T test. Mann-Whitney test.

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