Prevalence and psychosocial impact of atopic dermatitis in Bangladeshi children and families.

Abstract

BackgroundSkin conditions are the fourth leading cause of nonfatal disease globally, with atopic dermatitis (AD) a major and rising contributor. Though atopic dermatitis (AD) is rising in prevalence, little is known about its psychosocial effects on children and families in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).MethodsWe conducted a community-based, cross-sectional survey of 2242 under-5 children in rural Bangladesh using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire to measure AD prevalence and severity, the Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM) to measure severity, and the Infants' Dermatitis Quality of Life index (IDQoL) and Dermatitis Family Index (DFI) to measure quality of life.FindingsOverall AD prevalence in under-five children was 11.9% [95% confidence interval (CI) 10.6-13.3%]. Prevalence was highest in children age 30-35 months [16.2% (95% CI 11.4-21.0)]. IDQoL was significantly higher in males (2.67) vs. females (1.95, p = 0.015), the lowest (3.06) vs. highest (1.63) wealth quintile (p secondary (1.43) education (p = 0.039). POEM severity was correlated with IDQoL (r = 0.77, pConclusionsSevere AD significantly affects quality of life for children and families in Bangladesh. As access to healthcare expands in LMICs, identification and treatment of both the medical and psychosocial morbidities associated with the disease are needed.