The Family Impact of Atopic Dermatitis in the Pediatric Population: Results from an International Cross-sectional Study

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

4-28-2022

Journal

The Journal of pediatrics

DOI

10.1016/j.jpeds.2022.04.027

Keywords

Dermatitis Family Impact questionnaire; atopic dermatitis; family burden; parents/caregivers

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of atopic dermatitis on families of pediatric subjects. STUDY DESIGN: This cross-sectional, web-based survey of children/adolescents (6 months to <18 years old) with AD and their parents/caregivers was conducted in 18 countries encompassing North America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East/Eurasia, and East Asia. Children/adolescents with AD and their parents/caregivers were identified by the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) criteria and ever being told by a physician that they had "eczema". AD severity was assessed using Patient Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM) and Patient Global Assessment. AD impact on families' lives was evaluated using the Dermatitis Family Impact questionnaire (DFI), and stand-alone questions on hours of AD-related care (past week) and missed work days (past 4 weeks) due to their child's AD. RESULTS: A total of 7465 pairs of pediatric participants with AD and their parents/caregivers were surveyed. Across age groups, DFI total score for all regions ranged from 7.1-8.6, 13.2-14.9, and 17.0-17.2 for POEM mild, moderate, and severe AD, respectively; Subscale scores showed that higher AD severity had a greater impact on all family life domains, including sleep and tiredness. No specific patterns or trends were observed across age groups. Time spent on childcare and missed work days increased with AD severity. CONCLUSIONS: Across pediatric age groups and geographic regions, higher AD severity was associated with a greater negative impact on physical, emotional, social, and economic components of family life.

Department

Dermatology

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