Severity of disease and the quality of life indexes in infants with atopic dermatitis

Abstract

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing, inflammatory skin disease. In this study, the relationship between the severity of AD and the quality of life (QoL) of patients and their families were evaluated; also, the factors that predict the severity of AD and the QoL index were determined. Methods: Infants with AD were enrolled in the study. Pruritus, sleep disturbance, and dermatitis severity scores were obtained. The QoL of infants was assessed using the Infants’ Dermatitis Quality of Life Index (IDQOL), while the Family Dermatology Life Quality Index (FDLQI) was used to assess the impact of disease on the QoL of parents. Results: 122 patients diagnosed with AD were enrolled in the study. The correlation analysis of score showed a positive correlation between IDQOL and FDLQI (r = 0.444, p < 0.0001). Positive correlations between the pruritus, sleep disturbance, Severity Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD), Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), and dermatitis severity scores and the QoL indexes were found. While pruritus, sleep disturbance scores, and EASI were the most significant parameters for predicting a severe SCORAD score, IDOQL, FDLQI, and SCORAD were the most significant parameters for predicting severe EASI. In the analysis of QoL indexes, sleep disturbance and FDLQI were the most significant parameters for predicting severe IDQOL index, while IDQOL was the most significant parameter for predicting severe FDLQI scores. Conclusions: AD has a negative effect on the QoL of infants and their parents. Pruritus and sleep disturbance should be evaluated during clinical practice due to their strong relationship with disease severity and QoL index.