Quality of Life of Infants, Toddlers and Preschoolers with Seborrhoeic, Allergic Contact and Atopic Dermatitis Before and During COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Introduction Different aspects of quality of life (QoL) of infants and children with atopic dermatitis (AD) are well studied but there is a lack of studies on seborrhoeic dermatitis (SD) and allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). The aim of this study was to compare the impact of SD, ACD and AD on young children. Parts of questionnaires were filled in during the COVID-19 pandemic and therefore we decided to check if the pandemic affected dermatology-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in our patients. Methods In this cross-sectional study approved by the local ethics committee of the Kiev City Clinical Dermatovenereologic Hospital parents of children with SD, ACD and AD from birth to 4 years old from the same department of dermatology were asked to fill in the dermatology-specific questionnaire the Infants and Toddlers Dermatology Quality of Life (InToDermQoL). Diagnoses were based on clinical manifestations and anamnesis. The study was carried out from 2018 till 2021. Results The InToDermQoL questionnaire was filled in by 176 parents of children with SD, ACD and AD. Mean total InToDermQoL scores were significantly higher in children with AD than in SD and ACD ( P < 0.01). HRQoL of children with AD during the COVID-19 pandemic was significantly worse than before pandemic (41.30 ± 24.40 and 28.51 ± 17.67 respectively, P = 0.02). Scores of the item on ‘sleep problems’ significantly decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic in children with SD (1.19 ± 1.01 and 0.64 ± 0.63, P < 0.05), as did scores of the item on ‘rejection by other children’ in children with AD (0.96 ± 0.98 and 0.20 ± 0.45, P < 0.05). Conclusions To the best of our knowledge this is the first study on HRQoL of the youngest children with SD and ACD. In our study children with SD and ACD had comparable but lower impact of skin disease on their HRQoL than children with AD. The COVID-19 pandemic led to more severe HRQoL impairment in patients with AD visiting a dermatology department.

Sensitivity to treatment and score bands of the Infants and Toddlers Dermatology Quality of Life questionnaire

“… 22 Finally, external factors as in case of the COVID-19 pandemic may have multidirectional effects on patient’s HRQoL. 3 , 23 Similar to our study the person who fills-in the proxy- ratings in most cases is the mother. 24 However, no significant difference between mothers’ and fathers’ assessment of AD-specific proxy questionnaire was previously reported.…”

“… 2 The InToDermQoL was used to study QoL in children with seborrheic, allergic contact, and atopic dermatitis (AD) before and during COVID-19 pandemic. 3 An epidermolysis bullosa-specific module of the InToDermQoL was developed and underwent initial validation separately. 4 , 5 , 6 …”

The Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on the Clinical Course of Pediatric Skin Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…In line with this observation, in the present research, a statistically significant relationship was determined between the number of new-onset acne vulgaris cases and the median duration of mask wearing in a day (p=0.025). In another study investigating the effects of Covid-19 pandemic upon dermatologyspecific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in pediatric patients aged between 0-4 years, it was revealed that patients with SD and allergic contact dermatitis had a comparable but lower influence of cutaneous diseases on their HRQoL when compared with children with atopic dermatitis [22]. Even though, HRQoL is not evaluated in our study, the exacerbation of the skin disease was observed in 32 patients with SD and 5 patients with atopic dermatitis.…”

General and Skin-Specific Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Atopic Dermatitis Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“… 10 – 12 Nevertheless, few studies have examined the association of the COVID-19 pandemic and HRQoL outcomes in AD patients. 13 – 15 …”

“…[10][11][12] Nevertheless, few studies have examined the association of the COVID-19 pandemic and HRQoL outcomes in AD patients. [13][14][15] Skin-specific and generic questionnaires are extensively used to measure HRQoL in adult AD patients. 16 Skin-specific instruments allow comparisons across different skin conditions and are typically more sensitive to HRQoL changes related to the skin disease.…”