Impact of Atopic Dermatitis on the Quality of Life of Nigerian Children: A Hospital-based Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Atopic Dermatitis (AD) is the most common inflammatory skin disease in childhood. A skin disorder with
a relapsing course, AD exerts a significant disease burden on affected children. However there is a dearth of
knowledge on the impact of AD on the quality of life (QOL) of affected children in Nigeria. The aim of this study was to
examine the impact of AD on QOL in children of various age groups, to identify relationship between patient variables,
disease severity and the QOL in AD.
Method: Children with a diagnosis of AD identified by the United Kingdom Working Party (UKWP) diagnostic criteria
were recruited from a dermatology clinic over a 6 month period. English and Yoruba language versions of the Infants'
Dermatitis Quality of Life Index (IDQOL) and the Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI) were used to
determine the QOL of the subjects. AD severity was evaluated using the Objective Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis (objSCORAD) index was used.
Results: 47 subjects with AD were identified. The age range was from newborn to 16 years. The median IDQOL
score was 6.0(3.0-15.5; n = 25) and the median CDLQI score was 9.5(7.75-17.75; n = 22). The mean obj-SCORAD
score was 34.4 ± 17.2. Question on itching was the highest scoring question in both groups of children. Greater QOL
scores were significantly correlated with higher AD severity scores as estimated by the obj-SCORAD.
Conclusion: The study confirms that AD impairs the QOL of affected children in all age-groups. QOL assessments
help to give relevant information from the patient's perspective which will help improve the understanding the situation
of individuals with AD.
Keywords: atopic dermatitis, QOL, IDQOL, CDLQI, obj-SCORAD, children.