Mental health burden in patients with eczema

The risk of depression and anxiety may be greater among patients with atopic dermatitis.

In a study published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, investigators examined the data of population-based studies.

The investigators found that depression and anxiety were twice as prevalent among the patients who had atopic dermatitis compared with those who didn’t have the condition. They proposed that activities related to atopic dermatitis, including itching, flare-ups and sleep disturbances, may have contributed to the poorer mental health among this patient population. Chronic stress was also found to create a feedback loop in which habits such as scratching and itching led to worse atopic dermatitis symptoms, thereby worsening mental health.

The investigators suggested that psychological interventions like cognitive-behavioral therapy could help patients improve negative thoughts and coping skills. The findings revealed a critical need to routinely screen for mental health issues to identify patients with atopic dermatitis who may benefit from these interventions or other types of support.

Read more: Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

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