Assessing depression and anxiety in the caregivers of pediatric patients with chronic skin disorders.
BACKGROUND
The literature has shown that the presence of emotional disturbances in caregivers of children with skin diseases affects the course and treatment of the disease. Anxiety and depression are among the most frequently reported psychiatric diagnoses related to this fact.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the presence of anxiety and depression in caregivers of pediatric patients with chronic skin disorders, exemplified by atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and vitiligo, and correlate them to the quality of life of the patients.


METHODS
The sample consisted of 118 patients with atopic dermatitis, vitiligo and psoriasis, monitored by their main caregiver. The levels of anxiety and depression in the caregivers were assessed using the Hamilton Anxiety Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory, respectively. The Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index was applied.


RESULTS
Anxiety was observed in 36% of the caregivers of the patients with atopic dermatitis, in 36% of those of children affected by psoriasis, and in 42% of those responsible for pediatric patients with vitiligo. Depression occurred in 36% of the caregivers of patients with atopic dermatitis, in 36% of those of children affected by psoriasis and in 26% of those responsible for pediatric patients with vitiligo. There was a significant correlation between poor quality of life scores in patients with vitiligo and the presence of depression and anxiety in their caregivers.


CONCLUSIONS
Emotional disorders tend to be present among close family members of children with the chronic skin diseases studied and their prevention can help in controlling and treating these diseases.
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto AlegreRS, Brazil, PhD Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) - Collaborating Professor at the Universidade Federal de Ciencias da Saude de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA) - Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil.
Ana Paula Dornelles da Silva
AP
Manzoni
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto AlegreRS, Brazil, PhD Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) - Assistant Professor of the Universidade Federal de Ciencias da Saude de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA) - Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil.
Magda Blessmann
MB
Weber
Physician at a Private Clinic - Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil.
Aline Rodrigues da Silva
AR
Nagatomi
Physician at a Private Clinic - Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil.
Rita Langie
RL
Pereira
Physician at a Private Clinic - Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil.
Roberta Zaffari
RZ
Townsend
Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Porto AlegreRS, Brazil, PhD Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) - Associate Professor at the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) - Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil.
Tania Ferreira
TF
Cestari
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D001830:Body Surface Area; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000451:nursing*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires