The relation of stress and family environment to atopic dermatitis symptoms in children

The relation of stress and family environment to symptom severity in children with atopic dermatitis (AD) was examined. Forty-four children with severe AD and their families completed questionnaires measuring life events, chronic everyday problems and family environment. Measures of symptom severity were collected during medical evaluation and included an estimate of body surface affected by AD, course of AD symptoms over time, medication usage, and scratching intensity during the day and night. Regression analyses indicated that the measures of stress and family environment were important predictors of symptom severity even after controlling for demographic and medical status variables such as age and serum IgE level. These results have important implications for health care professionals working with children who have AD. Future research directions in the area of stress and AD are discussed.