EMOTIONAL AND PROSOCIAL BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS AMONG SAUDI CHILDREN WITH ATOPIC DERMATITIS

Abstract

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions in children. It is a global public health concern because of its burden on the health systems. The disease is usually associated with comorbidities including psychosocial and behavioural problems. Objectives: To explore the emotional symptoms and peer relationship problems, hyperactivity/inattention, and prosocial behaviour among Saudi children with atopic dermatitis Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during November 2022 through an onlinesurvey using the short form of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Parents of Saudi children from all over Saudi Arabia were recruited. Non-Saudi participants, subjects who refused to participate, and those with incomplete data were excluded. Results:During the past 12 months, 44.1% of children had eczema/skin allergy. Overall, 44.0% of atopic children had an abnormal Strengths and Difficulties Questionnairecategorization. The emotional problems subscale represent 36.0% while the prosocial subscales was 24.0%. Mental impairment was significantly associated with higher number of children in the family (p = 0.019), parental smoking (p = 0.038), as well as history of asthma (p = 0.004),deficit- hyperactivity disorder (p <0.001), and autism (p = 0.002). Conclusion:Our studysupports the existing literature on the presence of associations between AD and mental health disorders in children. High number of children in the family, parent smoking, history of asthma, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, and autism were predictors of mental health impairment. There is a need to screen patients for mental health impairment to ensure better outcome.