Quality of life and mental health in adults with atopic dermatitis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An investigation of quality of life and mental health in adults with atopic dermatitis compared to healthy people
IRAS ID
204919
Contact name
Rebecca Knibb
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Aston University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 1 days
Research summary
This study aims to explore the impact Atopic Dermatitis (AD) has on quality of life (QoL) and mental health of adults. AD is a chronic debilitating inflammatory skin condition and a significant health issue globally, with prevalence in children of 15-30% and 2-10% in adults (Williams & Flohr, 2006). Prevalence of AD in developed countries has increased two-to threefold over the past thirty years (Grillo, Gassner, Marshman Dunn, & Hudson, 2006). Little research has been conducted on the impact of AD on HRQoL in adults despite adults representing a more severe and persistent subset of cases (Hoare, Li, & Williams, 2000). AD is also associated with stress, anxiety and depression. Psychological stress has been found to alter the skin-barrier function, T-cell immune responses, and antimicrobial immunity. This in turn induces pruritus (itch), which leads to further skin damage from scratching (Arndt, Smith & Tausk, 2008). Many AD patients suffer from stress-related exacerbations and stress is one of the most significant triggers of AD symptoms (Morren, Przybilla, Bamelis, Heykants, Reynaers, & Degreef,1994). This contributes to an itch-scratch cycle that perpetuates a state of high anxiety and stress, leading to decreased quality of life (Arck & Paus, 2006). Studies investigating the relationship between AD and depression or anxiety disorders are very limited and findings are inconsistent ( Hashiro and Okumura, 1997; Slattery and Essex, 2011). These inconsistencies may be due to the various study methodologies and limitations in previous studies including small sample sizes and self-report of conditions without appropriate screening. Stress, anxiety, depression and HRQoL will be quantitatively explored in AD patients by administering validated questionnaires. Comparisons will also be made between AD patients and healthy controls for QoL and mental health.
REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/NE/0228
Date of REC Opinion
4 Jul 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion