Prevalence of Atopic Dermatitis Among Primary School Children and  Its Impact on Quality of Life in Kuching, Sarawak

Sut Enn Lee; Sze Ying Foo; Nur Shairah Fatin Binti Badaruddin; Mohamad Adam Bujang; Pubalan Muniandy

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Prevalence of Atopic Dermatitis Among Primary School Children and Its Impact on Quality of Life in Kuching, Sarawak

Author: Sut Enn Lee ¹ ; Sze Ying Foo ¹ ; Nur Shairah Fatin Binti Badaruddin ¹ ; Mohamad Adam Bujang ² ; Pubalan Muniandy ¹
Author Information

1. Department of Dermatology, Sarawak General Hospital, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
2. Clinical Research Centre, Sarawak General Hospital, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: Atopic dermatitis; Eczema; Epidemiology; Quality of life; School children
MeSH: Dermatitis, Atopic; Sarawak (Malaysia)
From:Malaysian Journal of Dermatology 2021;46(June 2021):21-30
CountryMalaysia
Language:English
Abstract: Background:Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory skin disorder that significantly burdens both children and caregivers’ quality of life. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and sociodemography of AD and determine its impact on the quality of life among AD children and their families in Sarawak.
Methods:This was a cross-sectional, observational population-based epidemiological study of primary school children in Kuching. The U.K. Working Party’s Diagnostic (UKWPD) criteria was utilized to diagnose atopic dermatitis. Disease impact on quality of life was assessed via standardized questionnaires. Skin examination was performed.
Results:A total of 968 children aged 7 to 12 years were recruited. The prevalence of AD was 7.0%. Malays were the commonest affected ethnic group. Most of the AD children had other associated atopies. Majority of children with AD had mild to moderate severity based on IGA with mean EASI score (standard deviation) of 1.50 (2.0). The mean Children’s Dermatology Quality Life Index (CDQLI) and Dermatitis Family Impact (DFI) were 7.26 (5.53) and 7.74 (6.12), respectively. “Symptoms of itch, sore or pain” was the most affected domain in children, whereas “Treatment impact” most affected in families. There was significant association between disease severity and children’s quality of life.
Conclusion:Atopic Dermatitis is common in Kuching school children. Children with AD and their families had a significant impact on quality of life, although most were mild diseases.
Full text:15.2021my0003.pdf