Family quality of life among families of children with atopic dermatitis

Abstract

BackgroundAtopic dermatitis (AD) may cause emotional distress and impairs the quality of life (QoL) in children and their families.ObjectiveWe examined family QoL of children with AD and explored associated factors such as disease severity and psychosocial factors among parents of children with AD.MethodsStudy participants were 78 children (1 month to 16 years old) diagnosed with AD and their parents visiting an outpatient clinic of the Department of Pediatrics in Inha University Hospital. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and medical record review. Parents completed the Dermatitis Family Impact questionnaire (DFI), the Positive Affect and Negative Affect Schedule, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, and the Korean Parenting Stress Index. For children aged below 6-year-old, parents were asked to complete the Infants' Dermatologic Quality of Life. SCOring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD), Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index, and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory version 4.0 Generic Core Scale were also completed.ResultsThe mean age of parents and children were 37.4 ± 5.3 years and 65.1 ± 45.7 months, respectively. Among them, 87.2% of parents were mothers and 60.3% of children were boys. The mean score of DFI was 11.2 ± 6.0. The mean SCORAD score was 28.3 ± 16.1. Family who experienced strong negative emotionality had a 3.8 times higher probability of experiencing a lower QoL than parents who did not (odds ratio [OR], 3.82; p = 0.041). Family of children with higher severity of AD had a 6.6 times (OR, 6.55; p = 0.018) higher probability of experiencing a low family QoL than their less-severe counterparts. Families of girls with AD had a lower QoL (OR, 8.40; p = 0.003) than families of boys.ConclusionFamily QoL among parents of children with AD was low and associated with parent’s psychosocial characteristics as well as disease severity of the children. Considering parental involvement in AD management for children, emotional support for parents can be helpful in long journey of disease management.

Burden of atopic dermatitis in Asia

“…The impact of AD on family QoL was specifically investigated in a questionnaire‐based study of South Korean families of children with AD and showed that in families of children with more severe AD the probability of a low family QoL was 6.6‐times more than in families of children with less severe disease . Families of girls with AD also had lower QoL than families of boys with AD, which may be indicative of sex differences in perception by both the child and the parents . Thus, the QoL burden of AD extends beyond individuals affected by the disease.…”

Factors associated with improvement of quality of life among parents of children with atopic dermatitis: 1‐year prospective cohort study

“…9,31 While this association is obvious and expected, our findings offer longitudinal evidence that children's higher levels of quality of life and its improvement strongly affect the dynamics of AD-related quality of life in the family. Greater improvement in children's quality of life was also associated with greater improvement in parental quality of life.…”

“…5,6 Apart from difficulties with child's scratching, skin rubbing and overall irritation, sleep disruption is a cardinal feature in childhood AD. 9 Moreover, because asthma and allergic rhinitis are frequent concurrent chronic conditions with AD, comorbidities in children with AD put additional strain on the parents. 1,8 Evidence suggests that the level of family life quality directly results from AD severity in children.…”

“…[9][10][11][12][13][14] Except for studies evaluating the influence of therapy outcomes on parental well-being, 15 few authors examined the change of parental quality of life over time. [9][10][11][12][13][14] Except for studies evaluating the influence of therapy outcomes on parental well-being, 15 few authors examined the change of parental quality of life over time.…”

Greetings from Asia Pacific Allergy

“…Jang et al [12] report on the quality of life of the family having children with atopic dermatitis. Chronic urticaria also affects the quality of life.…”