Correlation between anxiety and depression risk and atopic dermatitis severity in Taiwan: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundLimited studies on atopic dermatitis (AD) have investigated the possible covariance of sociodemographic factors with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the possible covariance between AD severity and HADS scores of patients in Taiwan.MethodsPatients with AD from a medical center and 2 regional hospitals in Taiwan were enrolled in this cross-sectional study from April 2018 to April 2019. AD severity was measured using the “scoring atopic dermatitis” index, and anxiety and depression were screened based on HADS.ResultsA total of 200 patients were included. After correcting for sociodemographic variables, significantly more borderline (≥8) and abnormal (≥11) cases of anxiety/depression (P < .05) were noted in patients with moderate-to-severe AD.LimitationsFirst, the cross-sectional study design cannot show causality. Second, baseline data, including a history of underlying cancer or previous psychiatric disorder, were not obtained in the questionnaire and may confound the HADS scores. Finally, a standardized psychiatric clinical interviews study design should be used for higher accuracy in the assessment of psycho-comorbidities.ConclusionHigher anxiety and depression risks were noted in patients with moderate-to-severe AD. Except for psychosomatic symptoms, all kinds of anxiety and depression symptoms occurred more frequently in patients with moderate-to-severe AD. Limited studies on atopic dermatitis (AD) have investigated the possible covariance of sociodemographic factors with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). This study aimed to examine the possible covariance between AD severity and HADS scores of patients in Taiwan. Patients with AD from a medical center and 2 regional hospitals in Taiwan were enrolled in this cross-sectional study from April 2018 to April 2019. AD severity was measured using the “scoring atopic dermatitis” index, and anxiety and depression were screened based on HADS. A total of 200 patients were included. After correcting for sociodemographic variables, significantly more borderline (≥8) and abnormal (≥11) cases of anxiety/depression (P < .05) were noted in patients with moderate-to-severe AD. First, the cross-sectional study design cannot show causality. Second, baseline data, including a history of underlying cancer or previous psychiatric disorder, were not obtained in the questionnaire and may confound the HADS scores. Finally, a standardized psychiatric clinical interviews study design should be used for higher accuracy in the assessment of psycho-comorbidities. Higher anxiety and depression risks were noted in patients with moderate-to-severe AD. Except for psychosomatic symptoms, all kinds of anxiety and depression symptoms occurred more frequently in patients with moderate-to-severe AD.

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