A randomized controlled trial in children with eczema: nurse practitioner vs. dermatologist

Background We hypothesized that a nurse practitioner would improve the quality of life of a child with eczema more than a dermatologist because of a structured intervention and more consultation time. Objectives To compare the level of care by nurse practitioners with that by dermatologists in children with eczema. Methods New referrals aged < or = 16 years with a diagnosis of eczema were recruited. In a randomized, parallel-group study with a follow-up period of 1 year, 160 participants were randomized either to conventional care from a dermatologist or to care from a nurse practitioner. The primary outcome measure was change in quality of life at 12 months, as assessed by the Infants' Dermatitis Quality of Life Index (IDQOL) for children aged < or = 4 years, and by the illustrated version of the Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI) for children aged 4-16 years. Secondary outcomes were changes in IDQOL and CDLQI at 4 and 8 months, family impact of childhood atopic dermatitis (Dermatitis Family Impact Questionnaire, DFI), eczema severity (objective SCORAD) and patient satisfaction (Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-8, CSQ-8) at 4, 8 and 12 months. Results The mean IDQOL in the dermatologist group improved significantly from 11.6 [SD 8.1; 95% confidence interval (CI) 9.0-14.2] at the baseline to 5.6 (SD 3.9; 95% CI 4.3-7.0) at 12 months with a mean change from the baseline of -6.5 (SD 6.6; 95% CI -14.2 to -8.9; P < 0.001). The mean IDQOL in the nurse practitioner group improved significantly from 10.7 (SD 4.9; 95% CI 9.1-12.3) at baseline to 5.7 (SD 5.4; 95% CI 4.0-7.5) at 12 months with a mean change from the baseline of -4.9 (SD 5.5; 95% CI -6.8 to -3.0; P < 0.001). The between-groups difference was (-)1.7 (95% CI -4.6 to 1.2; P = 0.26). The mean CDLQI in the dermatologist group improved significantly from 12.1 (SD 6.3; 95% CI 9.9-14.2) at baseline to 5.6 (SD 4.2; 95% CI 4.2-7.1) at 12 months with a mean change from the baseline of -5.9 (SD 6.0; 95% CI -8.0 to -3.9; P < 0.001). The mean CDLQI in the nurse practitioner group improved significantly from 10.0 (SD 4.4; 95% CI 8.5-11.4) at the baseline to 4.9 (SD 3.5; 95% CI 3.7-6.1) at 12 months with a mean change from the baseline of -5.2 (SD 4.0; 95% CI -6.6 to -3.8; P < 0.001). The between-groups difference was (-)0.7 (95% CI -3.3 to 1.7; P = 0.55). The between-groups comparison was not significant for the IDQOL and the CDLQI at baseline or 4, 8 and 12 months. Both treatment groups showed significant improvement in DFI and objective SCORAD at 12 months. The between-groups comparison was not significant at baseline or 4, 8 and 12 months. Significantly higher satisfaction levels were observed at 4, 8 and 12 months in the nurse practitioner group. Conclusions The level of care provided by a nurse practitioner in terms of the improvement in the eczema severity and the quality of life outcomes was comparable with that provided by a dermatologist. In addition, the parents were more satisfied with the care that was provided by a nurse practitioner.