[Quality of life in patients with atopic dermatitis: using the Japanese version of the SF-36 health status questionnaire].
Atopic dermatitis is a common skin disorder with an age onset mainly from infancy to adolescence. Patients with this disorder usually have a long history of repeated relief and relapse. The aim of the present studies is to quantify the relationship between the QOL score of patients and symptomatic characteristics (including severity measured by SF-36). From November 2000 to February 2001, the study recruited 281 patients with atopic dermatitis who had been treated at the Nagano dermatology and allergology clinic. The results of this study demonstrated that the symptoms severity and pruritus grade had strong influences on QOL score, and the location of pruritic lesion on the neck had the strongest influence on their self-perceived health status. The patients group with moderate atopic dermatitis who showed pruritus lesion in face, neck, and or knee, and female had consistently lower scores than male on all of the subscales. In conclusion, it is critically important to control of pruritus, and to develop an appropriate management.
Fukuroku
Keiko
K
School of Allied Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Osaka university. roku@ou.sannet.co.jo
Nagano
Takuzou
T
Ogino
Satoshi
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011537:Pruritus; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires