A Study on the Anxiety and Depression of Patients with Childhood Atopic Dermatitis.
- Author:
Hong Sik KIM
1
;
Yong Woo CHIN
;
Hyang Joon PARK
;
You Chan KIM
;
Kyung Kyu LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Dermatology & Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonam, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Atopic dermatitis;
Anxiety;
Depression
- MeSH:
Anxiety*;
Child;
Depression*;
Dermatitis, Atopic*;
Humans
- From:Korean Journal of Dermatology
1998;36(4):628-634
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
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.
