Patients' and Caregivers' Preferences for Mental Health Care and Support in Atopic Dermatitis

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

8-9-2023

Journal

Dermatitis : contact, atopic, occupational, drug

DOI

10.1089/derm.2023.0111

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) has large mental health impacts for patients and caregivers, yet their preferences regarding how to relieve these impacts are poorly understood. To understand patients' and caregivers' preferences for AD-related mental health care and support. We surveyed 279 adult AD patients and 154 caregivers of children with AD across 26 countries regarding their AD-related mental health burden, preferred strategies for improving AD-related mental health, and experiences with mental health care in AD. Caregivers reported significantly worse overall mental health ( = 0.01) and anxiety ( = 0.03) than adult patients when controlling for AD severity. Among adult patients, 58% selected treating the AD, 51% managing itch, 44% wearing clothing to cover up skin, 43% avoiding social situations, and 41% spending time alone, as strategies they felt would improve their own AD-related mental health. Caregivers selected managing itch and treating the AD most frequently for both their own (76% and 75%, respectively) and their children's (75% and 61%) mental health. Adult patients were less satisfied with mental health care from mental health providers versus nonmental health providers ( < 0.001). Effective AD management is the preferred method for improving mental health among patients as well as caregivers, who may experience the greatest mental health impacts. Self-care strategies should be considered in a shared decision-making approach.

Department

Dermatology

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