A psychosomatic study on adult patients with atopic dermatitis (1st report) - An evaluation of psychological features from viewpoints of its severity and course

Psychological indices of 48 adult patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) subjects were compared among the groups classified by its severity, clinical course, differences of family history, and complication. First, the scores of psychological tests in all subjects were evaluated. Adult patients with AD had high anxiety, depressive mood, and neuroticism, consequently. Moreover, they had low self efficacy and a tendency to overadaptation. Second, the 3 groups classified by its severity (mild, moderate, severe) were compared by using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA). 'A' (adult) score of Tokyo University Egogram (TEG) of the severe group was significantly lower than that of the mild group (p<0.05), so that reality testing of the severe group was more disturbed than that of the mild group. Moreover, the 3 groups classified by its clinical course (child onset type, temporarily remitted but exacerbated type, adult onset type) were also compared by using one way ANOVA. 'E' (musculoskeletal), 'F' (skin), 'I' (fatigue), and 'A~L, total' (physical symptoms, total) scores of CMI (Cornell Medical Index) and state anxiety score of State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) the temporarily remitted but exacerbated type presented were significantly higher than those the other types did (p < 0.05). We claimed that the temporarily remitted but exacerbated type has most psychosomatic complaints. On the other hand, the scores of many psychological items of patients accompanied with bronchial asthma (BA) and/or allergic rhinitis (AR) were evaluated. The results show that the scores of many psychological items of patients accompanied with AR were significantly higher than those of patients not accompanied. So that, physical and psychological symptoms patients accompanied with AR presented were greater. We concluded that it's important we take account of its severity, clinical course, and the presence of AR when we study and treat adult patients with AD.