Qualitative patient research to support the development of a conceptual model to illustrate the experience of atopic dermatitis in adolescents

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD), is a chronic inflammatory dermatological disease that is characterized by eczematous skin lesions with symptoms including intense itching and pain, and signs including erythema, dryness, scaling flaking, thickening and fissuring. These signs/symptoms can have a significant impact on patients ’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL). AD is common in children and adolescents, affecting up to 17% of school children (aged 5-18) in the United States (US); however published qualitative literature on the patient experience of AD in adolescents is minimal.
Source: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology - Category: Dermatology Source Type: research