Itch intensity evaluated in the German Atopic Dermatitis Intervention Study (GADIS): correlations with quality of life, coping behaviour and SCORAD severity in 823 children.
The German Atopic Dermatitis Intervention Study (GADIS), which includes 823 children and adolescents, showed that age-related educational programmes are effective in the long-term management of atopic dermatitis. We investigated whether the itch severity obtained in the scoring of atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) correlates with quality of life and coping behaviour in children and parents. There were significant but low correlations between the severity of atopic dermatitis and the itch intensity. Itch and sleeplessness were significantly correlated. Significant correlations of itch with the coping behaviour and quality of life in parents of children with atopic dermatitis were measured. The coping and itching behaviour of children (8-12 years) and adolescents (13-18 years) had higher significant correlations with the itch compared with the parents' answers. Quality of life in children (8-12 years) and adolescents (13-18 years) showed a significant negative correlation with itch intensity. Quality of life, itch intensity and coping strategies should be considered when treating patients with atopic dermatitis.
Weisshaar
Elke
E
Department of Social Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. elke.weisshaar@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Diepgen
Thomas L
TL
Bruckner
Thomas
T
Fartasch
Manigé
M
Kupfer
Jörg
J
Lob-Corzilius
Thomas
T
Ring
Johannes
J
Scheewe
Sibylle
S
Scheidt
Reginald
R
Schmid-Ott
Gerhard
G
Schnopp
Christina
C
Staab
Doris
D
Szcepanski
Rüdiger
R
Werfel
Thomas
T
Wittenmeier
Marita
M
Wahn
Ulrich
U
Gieler
Uwe
U
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011537:Pruritus / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires