Psychological Stress and Atopic Dermatitis: A Focus Group Study

BACKGROUNDAtopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder. It is often reported to be worsened by psychological stress. OBJECTIVETo explore the role of psychological stress and related triggers in AD, and its connection to worsening of this disease, focusing on patients' perspect...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annals of dermatology 2023, 35(5), , pp.342-347
Main Authors: Lönndahl, Louise, Abdelhadi, Saly, Holst, Mikael, Lonne-Rahm, Sol-Britt, Nordlind, Klas, Johansson, Björn
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Atopic dermatitis
Excercise
Focus groups
Medicin och hälsovetenskap
Original
Psychological stress
Qualitative research
피부과학
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:BACKGROUNDAtopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder. It is often reported to be worsened by psychological stress. OBJECTIVETo explore the role of psychological stress and related triggers in AD, and its connection to worsening of this disease, focusing on patients' perspectives. METHODSIn total, 28 patients with AD were included in focus groups. Topics regarding psychological stress and psychological triggers were discussed. RESULTSThe hypothesis that psychological stress may have impact on eczema and its pruritus was supported by all of the patients. Distinguishing the worsening effect of psychological stress from effects of physiological triggers, such as infection, climate and allergic factors, was claimed to be difficult by many patients. Most of the patients thought that chronic stress affected the AD more when compared to acute stress. Family problems, financial problems, work overload, school exam periods, lack of structure at work, and unforeseen events were identified as important psychological triggers. Conventional treatment/therapy with topical corticosteroids and emollients, UV light treatment, were suggested as possible treatments, as well as psychological intervention and physical exercise. CONCLUSIONPsychological stress is an important factor to consider in the management of patients with AD. In particular, chronic stress tends to worsen AD. The type of stress can possibly also affect the quality of the pruritus experienced by the patients. Unforeseen events and decision making were frequently mentioned as important triggers. Furthermore, physical exercise was reported to provide beneficial effects.
ISSN:1013-9087
2005-3894
2005-3894
DOI:10.5021/ad.22.035