The Psychosocial Impact of Atopic Dermatitis

• Published in: Advances in experimental medicine and biology Vol. 1027; pp. 57 - 69
• Main Authors: Gochnauer, Heather, Valdes-Rodriguez, Rodrigo, Cardwell, Leah, Anolik, Rachel B.
• Format: Book Chapter Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Springer International Publishing AG 01.01.2017; Springer International Publishing
• Series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
• Subjects: Atopic dermatitis; Dermatitis, Atopic - psychology; Dermatology; Epidemiology & medical statistics; Family; Humans; Pathology; Psychosocial impact atopic dermatitis; Quality of Life; Quality of life index; Social Stigma; Atopic dermatitis; Quality of life index; Psychosocial impact atopic dermatitis
• ISBN: 3319648039; 9783319648033
• ISSN: 0065-2598; 2214-8019
• DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-64804-0_6

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic skin condition which has significant psychosocial and quality of life impact. The condition causes physical discomfort, emotional distress, embarrassment, social stigma and daily activity limitation. In an effort to assess these aspects of disease burden, quality of life measurement tools were developed. Through use of these tools, we have expanded our knowledge of the psychosocial and quality of life burden of this condition. A variety of quality of life assessment tools exist, yet there is no consensus on which tool is best suited to assess the quality of life impact of atopic dermatitis. Research studies assessing quality of life in atopic dermatitis patients utilize a variety of quality of life measurement tools; this complicates comparisons across research studies. Though comparison across studies is difficult, the data echoes tremendous overall burden of disease, especially pertaining to psychosocial status and life quality.