A Study on the Anxiety and Depression of Patients with Childhood Atopic Dermatitis

Kim, Hong Sik; Chin, Yong Woo; Park, Hyang Joon; Kim, You Chan; Lee, Kyung Kyu

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis is a condition which often begins in early infancy as an erythematous, intensely pruritic, maculopapular eruption. The role of anxiety and depression in the course of atopic dermatitis in children has long been considered an important factor.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the depression and anxiety state of patients with childhood atopic dermatitis. The age of all studied individuals ranged from 8 to 15 years.
METHODS
Psychological data were obtained by administration of the Kovacs' Children's Depression Inventory and the Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children.
RESULTS
Patients with atopic dermatitis were characterized by a high degree of state anxiety compared with the control group. However, there were no significant differences in trait anxiety and depression between the atopic patient group and the control group. With regards to disease activity, state & trait anxiety were higher in the severs group as compared with the mild group. The degrees of anxiety and depression analyzed by recent onset, remote onset and sex did not show any significant differences.
CONCLUSION
We think that patients with childhood atopic dermatitis are highly anxious, which suggest that psychological intervention may be helpful.