1.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
Malaysian Journal of Dermatology 2021;46(June 2021):21-30
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.
Dermatitis, Atopic
;
Sarawak (Malaysia)