April 25, 2024 – A recent cross-sectional study spanning from November 2018 to June 2021 conducted across 32 pediatric dermatology centers in the United States and Canada sheds light on the often overlooked issue of stigmatization and its profound impact on the mental health of children and adolescents with chronic skin disorders.
Led by PeDRA researchers, the study, entitled “The Impact of Pediatric Skin Disorders: The ‘Big’ Study,” aimed to evaluate the extent of stigma, its correlation with disease visibility and severity, and its implications on mental health and quality of life among young patients aged 8 to 17 with chronic skin conditions.
The findings, published in JAMA Dermatology, revealed that stigma scores were significantly associated with reduced quality of life, depression, anxiety, and poor peer relationships.
The study highlighted that physician-assessed disease severity and visibility often did not align with patient or caregiver perceptions. Moreover, certain chronic skin disorders such as hyperhidrosis and hidradenitis suppurativa were found to be particularly impactful on mental health, with higher rates of increased depression and anxiety scores among affected children.
This PeDRA study underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing stigmatization in pediatric patients with chronic skin disorders. It emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach that combines medical and psychosocial interventions to mitigate the negative impact on mental well-being and improve overall quality of life for these vulnerable populations.
Learn more by tuning in to a JAMA Dermatology interview featuring the author, Amy S. Paller, MD, hosted by Adewole S. Adamson, MD, MPP.
Special thanks to industry sponsors, Amgen and Regeneron, as well as advocacy sponsors: EB Research Partnership (EBRP), Epidermolysis Bullosa Medical Research Foundation (EBMRF), Foundation for Ichthyosis & Related Skin Types (FIRST), National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF), National Eczema Association (NEA), National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF), and Sturge-Weber Foundation (SWF), for their support of The “Big” Study.
