Quality of Life Measurement and its Relationship to Disease Severity in Children with Atopic Dermatitis in General Practice

Abstract Atopic dermatitis (AD) has a great impact on the quality of life (QoL). The usefulness of health-related QoL questionnaires for children with AD in general practice and the relation to disease severity as assessed by parents and by investigators has not yet been established. In this study, QoL was assessed using the IDQoL in children with AD, selected from general practice. Severity of AD was determined by investigators and parents using the objective SCORAD, the TIS or by an additional question of the IDQoL. Sixty-six patients (41% boys, mean age 31 months) were included. Correlations between disease severity as assessed by parents and by investigators were low (Rs 0.29-0.51), Correlations between IDQoL and severity assessed by investigators was low (Rs 0.08-0.36). However, IDQOL and severity according to parents showed good correlations (Rs 0.67-0.73). In conclusion, both disease severity and disease-related QoL are two different aspects and are essential when evaluating treatment or when investigating new dermatological therapies in trials.