Naslov
The COVID-19 Pandemic and Recent Earthquake in Zagreb Together Significantly Increased the Disease Severity of Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Autori
Lugović-Mihić, Liborija ; Meštrović-Štefekov, Jelena ; Cvitanović, Hrvoje ; Bulat, Vedrana ; Duvančić, Tomislav ; Pondeljak, Nives ; Tolušić- Levak, Maja ; Lazić-Mosler, Elvira ; Novak-Bilić, Gaby

Izvornik
Dermatology (Basel) (1018-8665) 239 (2023), 1; 91-98

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
Atopic dermatitis ; COVID-19 ; Disease severity ; Earthquake ; Mental health

Sažetak
Background/objective: Stress may affect patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). The aim of this study was to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the earthquake in Zagreb, Croatia (March 2020), on AD patients and their disease severity, symptoms/itch, and perceived stress. Methods: Our observational cross-sectional study included three groups of AD patients diagnosed by a physician: group 1 (n = 50), who experienced both the pandemic (quarantine) and the earthquake ; group 2 (n = 50), who experienced only the pandemic ; and group 3 (n = 50), the comparison group, who experienced neither disaster (patients examined 2018-2019). Groups 1 and 2 were examined May-June 2020, immediately after the national lockdown/quarantine. Disease severity (SCORAD), data from the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and information on patients' confirmed allergies were recorded for all groups, while groups 1 and 2 additionally completed a questionnaire concerning their disease, hand hygiene, and experience during the pandemic and/or earthquake. Results: The patients exposed to both disasters reported more pronounced AD worsening (p < 0.001 ; r = 0.388) and more frequent itching (p < 0.001 ; r = 0.350) than those exposed to the pandemic only. Notably, we found certain differences by gender: during the pandemic, women significantly more frequently washed their hands (81% of women washed "very frequently, " while 52% of men washed "quite often") and had significantly higher PSS levels than men (p < 0.05). Concerning allergies, present or absent, during the pandemic, there was no significant difference in SCORAD between groups 1 and 2, neither when analyzed separately for indoor nor for outdoor allergens. The most commonly reported psychological disturbances during the pandemic were concern (46%), anger (18%), anxiety (16%), depression (9%), and increased alcohol, cigarette, and opioid agent use (6%). Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic together with the earthquake significantly increased disease severity and influenced AD worsening, itching, and psychological disturbances. This indicates that stressful events meaningfully affect the course of AD.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Kliničke medicinske znanosti

POVEZANOST RADA