The impact of atopic dermatitis on sexual health

• Published in: Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Vol. 33; no. 2; pp. 428 - 432
• Main Authors: Misery, L., Seneschal, J., Reguiai, Z., Merhand, S., Héas, S., Huet, F., Taieb, C., Ezzedine, K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Wiley 01.02.2019
• Subjects: Adult; Age Factors; Cohort Studies; Dermatitis, Atopic - diagnosis; Dermatitis, Atopic - psychology; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humanities and Social Sciences; Humans; Library and information sciences; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Quality of Life; Risk Assessment; Severity of Illness Index; Sex Factors; Sexual Health; Sickness Impact Profile; Socioeconomic Factors; Sociology; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0926-9959; 1468-3083
• DOI: 10.1111/jdv.15223

Background Sexual health is frequently affected by chronic diseases but has been poorly investigated in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). Objective To evaluate the risk factors for impaired sexual desire and its relationship with the burden and quality of life of patients with AD. Methods A multicentre prospective transversal study in patients with AD. Socio‐demographic and clinical data were obtained from all patients using a specifically developed questionnaire. In addition, patients were asked to answer validated scales, that is ABS‐A, DLQI, SF‐12 and EQ‐5D. Results A total of 1024 patients participated in the study. Severity of AD, sites involved and treatment type was found to negatively impact the sexual desire of patients and their partners. In addition, the involvement of the genital and visible areas was associated with a higher burden and more significant alterations in quality of life. Conclusions The results of this study are substantial and clearly demonstrate the deep impact of AD on sexual health, its relationship with disease‐related burden and alterations to quality of life. Psychosociological as well as neurosensory phenomena could help to understand these data.