Screening for psychosocial and emotional problems on children with atopic dermatitis

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common chronic dermatitis in childhood. Its prevalence is currently around 15 to 20% of the pediatric population. Chronic diseases such as AD negatively affect the quality of life and the emotional aspects of its patients. Studies show that AD patients have a higher rate of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and that both these children and their caregivers are at greater risk of developing anxiety and depressive symptoms. These data point to the long-term effect caused by this condition on child behavior and development and on the psychosocial scope.

Objective: Screening for psychosocial and emotional problems in children with AD by application of the Pediatric Symptoms Checklist (PSC).

Methods: Application of the PSC in children assisted in a dermatology outpatient clinic of a university hospital in West State of Paraná. Children and adolescents aged between seven and eighteen years with a confirmed diagnosis of AD were included in the study. After approval by the Research Ethics Committee under protocol number 5.224.128 the PSC was applied to screen for emotional and psychosocial disorders.

Results: Twenty-one subjects were included in the study, thirteen (62%) female and eight (38%) male. Age ranging from seven to fifteen years (mean: 10.5 years and median: 10 years). PSC score ranging from two to forty-three points (mean: 16.8 points and median: fourteen points). Three patients (14.3%) had a score higher than 28 points on PSC, with a positive result and indication of referral for mental health assessment by a specialist. Three patients (14.3%) had a score very close to 28, however, with a negative result, but indicating that mental health surveillance in AD patients is essential.

Conclusions: AD is a condition that affects the quality of life of children and adolescents by triggering physical and psychological signs and symptoms, requiring screening for emotional and psychosocial disorders in order to provide the necessary support to these patients and prevent progression to more serious psychosocial conditions. The percentage of children with a tendency towards mental disorders was higher than the general population, according of literature (10%).

 

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Artikel online veröffentlicht:
18. September 2023