Assessment of life quality and influencing factors in adults with atopic dermatitis in the Northeast of China

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) affects patients’ quality of life (QOL) as well as their physical and mental health. Influencing factors of AD should be considered and minimized to the controllable range. In addition, exploring the intervention of psychiatric factors may provide new ideas for the treatment of AD. To investigate the QOL and its influencing factors in adult patients with AD, the physical and mental health of 133 AD patients in Changchun City, Jilin province, Northeast of China, was investigated by conducting online questionnaires from August 2020 to April 2022. The information about patients’ demographics, atopic comorbidities, and whether they were accompanied by anxiety and depression was collected. The Dermatology Life Quality Index and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were used to assess their QOL, anxiety, depression, and psychological characteristics. Logistic regression was used to analyze their influencing factors. A total of 106 patients with valid response questionnaires were included. The survey results showed that the QOL was affected in 59.43% (63/106) of patients, while abnormal anxiety patients accounted for 8.49% (9/106) and abnormal depression patients accounted for 29.25% (31/106). Logistic regression showed that the QOL and anxiety of AD patients were not related to demographic characteristics such as age, sex, and atopic comorbidities. The risk factors of depression were middle school education or below (Wald = 4.679, P = 0.031) and outdoor working environment (Wald = 4.583, P = 0.032). Spearman’s rank-order correlation analysis of QOL, anxiety, and depression levels in dermatology showed two positive correlations (P < 0.01). AD affects patients’ QOL and has a serious negative psychological impact on patients. Dermatologists should be alert to mental symptoms when treating patients with AD.