• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.163-175
• /
• 2009

Objective : The aim of this study was to take a census of elementary school children who have atopic dermatitis(AD) especially the residents of Je-Cheon. Method : We conducted a questionnaire survey of the elementary school children in Je-Cheon who have atopic dermatitis. 96 patients with AD were involved in the survey. The questionnaire was made up of their family history, past history, weaning food, breast-fed or not, dietary treatment and Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index(CDLQI), etc. The student's T-test was used for statistical analysis. Results : Parents and siblings brothers and sisters past history has an effect on patients with AD. With regard to past history of patients, allergic rhinitis was the most common ailment. Formula feeding was common in the group under 6 months of age and the mean age of the start of weaning was 7.25 months. Fruit juice and weaning food of powder type were the first weaning foods in this study. Many parents introduced a grain diet, live diet, bone - soup, egg, milk, cheese and bean curd to their children under 12 months of age. A restricted diet was the most common dietary treatment method in this study. The highest scoring question for CDLQI was itching; the lowest one was related to bullying. Conclusion : We analyzed the patients' family history, past history, weaning food, dietary treatment and Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index(CDLQI), etc. Through this survey, we better understand the actual conditions of elementary school children who had AD in Je-Cheon.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.122-137
• /
• 2010

Objective : Atopic dermatitis (AD) in children may profoundly affect the quality of life (QOL), and also cause financial burden, to the families of those suffering from this ailment. The aim of our study was to examine the quality of life and the financial burden of atopic dermatitis in children and their families to evaluate this relationship with the degree of AD. Methods : 37 infant and child atopic dermatitis patients were included and evaluated using the SCORing of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) Index and Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI). Patients and carers were asked to fill in the questionnaires about their quality of life and financial costs during the past year. Data about sleep disturbance and pruritus were also obtained. Pearson's correlation was used for statistical analysis. Results : 1. The mean score of Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI) was $10.52{\pm}4.82$, Infants' Dermatologic Quality of Life (IDQOL) was $8.21{\pm}3.95$. 2. The mean score of Family Dermatology Life Quality Index (FDLQI) was $13.30{\pm}5.72$, Dermatitis Family Impact (DFI) was $12.5{\pm}4.98$. 3. By analyzing the questionnaire, the monthly average cost was determined to be 730,800 won for each patient : the direct cost was 283,500 won, and the indirect cost was 447,300 won. 4. By analyzing the correlation between the severity of AD and QOL, subjective SCORAD were significantly and positively correlated with QOL(IDQOL, FDLQI, DFI, CDLQI). 5. By analyzing the correlation between the severity of AD and any economic impact, EASI were significantly and positively correlated with the direct cost. Conclusion : The above results show that the QOL of the patients and carers is significantly related to their disease severity. Atopic dermatitis patients pay an average of 730,800 won a month, and the economic impact on the patients is significantly related to their disease severity. The CDLQI, IDQOL, FDLQI and DFImay potentially be of value to help in the appropriate management of AD and can be used as an added measurement in clinical trials involving AD management.