OBJECTIVETo investigate the quality of life of children with atopic dermatitis (AD) and their families, and to assess the changes in quality of life after treatment.

METHODSThe Infants' Dermatitis Quality of Life Index (IDQOL), Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI), and Dermatitis Family Impact (DFI) questionnaires were used to evaluate quality of life in 109 children with AD and 55 normal children. The Severity Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) was used to evaluate disease severity. The children were given external application of glucocorticoids according to the SCORAD index, and the clinical outcome and changes in quality of life were observed after 3 months of treatment.

RESULTSThe three items in both IDQOL and CDLQI questionnaires with higher scores were itching/scratching, mood problems, and sleeping disturbance in the AD patients. Sleeping disturbance, fatigue and mood problems were the three items in the DFI questionnaire with higher scores. There was a positive correlation between IDQOL/CDLQI score and SCORAD index (r=0.358, 0.386 respectively; P<0.05). In the younger group (1-4 years), there was a positive correlation between DFI score and SCORAD index (r=0.297; P<0.05). After treatment the severity of AD and quality of life in the children and their families (P<0.05) were significantly improved.

CONCLUSIONSAD has an adverse effect on quality of life in children with AD and their families. Topical glucocorticoids may control the symptoms of AD and improve the quality of life in children and their families.