Physical and psychosocial functioning of children with atopic dermatitis

Abstract

47 Physical and Psychosocial Functioning of Children with Atopic Dermatitis A. S. Kaugars, M. D. Klinnert, M. Price, M. L. Polintan, IF. M. Atkins, D. L. Bratton; National Jewish Medical and Research Center, Denver, CO. RATIONALE: There is a dearth of information available about the impact of pediatric atopic dermatitis (AD) on child and family functioning. METHODS: Parents of 39 children receiving treatment for AD in a multidisciplinary day treatment program participated. Upon program entry, parents answered the standardized, well-validated Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ-PF50) and questions specific to AD (eg, time spent caring for AD, extent of child's itching). RESULTS: The majority of parents reported spending a great deal of time caring for their child's AD (42% spent 11-20 hrs/wk; 46% spent 21+ hrs/wk). Parents of young children ( 1-5 years; n= 13) rated their children's skin as significantly more itchy than parents of older children (6-17 years; n=26; p<.05). Means of CHQ-PF50 scale scores were compared with norms of children with diagnosed asthma using Wilcoxon Signed-Rank tests. Parents of children with AD rated child and family functioning as significantly more impaired on 9 of 12 scales assessing limitations in social activities, general health perceptions, bodily pain, parental impact of time, parental emotional distress, self-esteem, and mental health. Parents who rated their children's skin as more itchy reported more distress (r=-.51, p<.01) and rated their children as having more bodily pain and discomfort (r=--.57, p<.01) on the CHQ. CONCLUSIONS: Given the significant distress and limitations in physical and psychosocial functioning experienced by children with AD and their parents, multidisciplinary interventions are indicated to address the many facets of functioning affected by AD. Measures in the present study will be used to assess treatment outcomes. Funding: Scholl Foundation