Citation

Halvorsen JA, Lien L, Dalgard F, Bjertness E, Stern RS. J. Invest. Dermatol. 2014; 134(7): 1847-1854.

Affiliation

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1038/jid.2014.70

PMID

24496238

Abstract

There are few studies of psycho-social problems in adolescents with eczema. We performed a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study to explore the relationship of suicidal ideation, mental health problems, and social functioning with eczema. A total of 4,744 adolescents (18-19 years) were invited and 3,775 (80%) participated. The overall prevalence of current eczema was 9.7%. Among those with current eczema, 15.5% reported suicidal ideation compared to 9.1% among those without eczema, significantly associated in a multivariate model (odds ratio 1.87, 95% confidence interval 1.31-2.68). In a subgroup analyses the prevalence of suicidal ideation in those with both eczema and itch was 23.8%, and was significantly associated compared to those witout eczema (3.57, 2.46-5.67). Eczema was associated with mental health problems assessed by Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (1.72, 1.21-2.45) and Hopkins Symptom Checklist 10 (1.63, 1.23-2.16). Five questions assessed social function: feeling attached to family and friends, thriving at school, experiencing bullying, and romantic relationship. Boys with current eczema were less likely to have had romantic relationship (1.93, 1.21-3.08). Eczema in late adolescence is associated with suicidal ideation and mental health problems, but rarely with social problems. Our findings point to the importance of addressing mental health issues in adolescents with eczema.Journal of Investigative Dermatology accepted article preview online, 4 February 2014; doi:10.1038/jid.2014.70.

Language: en