Psychodermatologic Features of Hand Dermatitis in Adolescents With and Without Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Area of Science:

• Psychodermatology
• Adolescent Medicine
• Mental Health

Background:

• Hand dermatitis (HD) in adolescents is multifactorial, influenced by behaviors, emotional distress, and psychodermatologic factors.
• These factors can contribute to persistent disease and significant clinical burden in adolescents.
• Understanding the interplay between HD and mental health is vital for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare dermatologic severity, clinical characteristics, neurocognitive functioning, and emotional-behavioral features.
• The study focused on adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) only, HD only, and co-occurring OCD and HD.
• This comparison aims to identify unique profiles within these groups.

Main Methods:

• 139 adolescents were categorized into three groups: HD only, OCD + HD, and OCD only.
• Standardized measures assessed premorbid functioning, neurocognition, and emotional-behavioral symptoms.
• ANOVA/ANCOVA, chi-square tests, and logistic regression were used to analyze group differences and predictors.

Main Results:

• The combined OCD + HD group had a shorter onset-diagnosis interval and greater dermatologic severity (e.g., fissuring, xerosis).
• OCD groups exhibited better verbal learning and fluency, but higher anxiety, depressive, and OCD symptom severity.
• Poorer premorbid peer functioning and longer treatment duration predicted OCD comorbidity in adolescents with HD.

Conclusions:

• Adolescents with comorbid OCD and HD represent a distinct psychodermatologic subgroup.
• This subgroup is characterized by increased dermatologic severity and emotional symptom burden.
• Early identification of behavioral and psychiatric symptoms in adolescents with HD is essential for timely multidisciplinary intervention.