Principal Investigator:
Larry Eichenfield, MD
University of California, San Diego
Overview:
Chronic hand eczema (CHE) has been poorly investigated in children and adolescents. Prior epidemiologic studies are very limited to a few studies in Scandinavia, with few studies of pediatric CHE in the United States. This is concerning as CHE has significant signs and symptoms, impact on school, sports and other activities, psychosocial effects, and measurable impacts on quality of life. Potential associations with atopic dermatitis, active or by history, and allergic contact dermatitis are suspected. We plan to query providers from the Society of Pediatric Dermatology and Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance regarding the diagnosis, testing, and treatments they utilize for pediatric CHE through a survey designed as a series of questions and vignettes. We will execute a ‘selective response’ survey method where we send out a message to all PeDRA and SPD members requesting their willingness to take part in the survey. Then we will distribute the survey to those that have said they are interested in participating. Methodology of the survey development included development of case vignettes, reviewed by experts in CHE and atopic dermatitis. After survey collection, the data will be analyzed to understand the variation in clinical experience with, diagnosis, categorization, and treatment of chronic hand eczema among physicians. Given the significant influence CHE has on individual quality of life this investigation can serve as the foundation for determining best practices of management of this disorder to prevent high morbidity in adulthood and will impact the design of a planned prospective epidemiologic study of pediatric CHE.
Status:
This project is underway and the survey will be open for responses soon.