Psychosocial Impact of Atopic Dermatitis in Adults: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background and objective: Atopic dermatitis affects a patient's quality of life in many ways. Analysis of the effects of this disease on the lives of adult patients is therefore important for the purpose of better defining their care needs.

Patients and methods: We interviewed 14 adult patients with atopic dermatitis in this qualitative study. The interviews were semistructured according to a simple outline to allow for completeness and flexibility and afford greater depth and richness of information.

Results: Atopic dermatitis affected the patients' lives in 6 spheres of activity: economic, occupational, personal, psychosocial, clinical, and relational. A clear finding was that the disease has a considerable psychosocial effect on adult patients, altering their interpersonal relationships and leading to rejection, stigmatization, and social isolation. It limits the patient in various spheres of life and in activities of daily living, causing sleep alterations among other effects. The patients were very concerned about appearance, the itch-scratch cycle, poor understanding and lack of awareness of their disease, the absence of a definitive treatment, and the adverse effects of some treatments.

Conclusions: The quality of life of adults with atopic dermatitis is negatively affected. This disease requires a professional, holistic, multidisciplinary management approach that attempts to mitigate the adverse effects.

Keywords: Aislamiento social; Atopic dermatitis; Calidad de vida; Dermatitis atópica; Emociones; Emotions; Entrevista psicológica; Estrés psicológico; Impacto social; Picor; Pruritus; Psychological interview; Psychological stress; Quality of life; Social impact; Social isolation.