A comparative study of the impairment of quality of life in Czech children with atopic dermatitis of different age groups and their families

Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) still remains one of the most common childhood inflammatory skin diseases. As a chronic disease, it can have a physical and psychological effect on social functioning of the affected child as well as their family. The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of life of children with AD of different age groups and their families. Methods A total of 203 children with a diagnosis of AD from newborn to 18 years of age and 202 of their parents took part in our study (as one parent did not return the questionnaire). All participants, according to their age, completed the following questionnaires: Infants Dermatitis Quality of Life Index (IDQOL); Childrens Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI) text and cartoon version; and Dermatitis Family Impact questionnaire (DFI). Results The mean total IDQOL score in our study was 8.18 (SD = 5.84, n = 120). The mean total CDLQI scores in the groups of children from 7 to 13 and from 14 to 18 years were 8.58 (SD = 4.98, n = 48) and 9.89 (SD = 5.26, n = 35). There was also a proven influence of the childs AD on the quality of life of his parents with the mean score: 7.98 (SD = 6.41, n = 202). Conclusions The study demonstrated and confirmed that AD significantly impairs the childrens quality of life in all age groups and also quality of life of their families. Such data give us patient-oriented information that is of great importance for understanding the situation of individuals with AD and its influence on members of their family.