Dermatitis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Dermatitis, including details on contact-, seborrheic-, atopic-, allergic-dermatitis, treatment.

The sensory profile of children with atopic dermatitis as determined by the sensory profile questionnaire.

Engel-Yeger B, Habib-Mazawi S, Parush S, Rozenman D, Kessel A, Shani-Adir A

Occupational Therapy Department, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Studies, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel. batya@research.haifa.ac.il

BACKGROUND: The increasing prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) combined with the limited efficacy of current therapies emphasizes the need to improve care quality for patients with AD. This study aims to characterize the sensory profile of children with AD as expressed in daily living. METHODS: In all, 53 patients with AD and 61 healthy children, aged 3 to 10 years, participated in this study. Disease severity was assessed using the Severity Scoring of AD (SCORAD) score. The sensory profile was assessed using the Short Sensory Profile. RESULTS: The study group had significantly higher sensory sensitivity than the control group (t = 2.855; P = .013). These results were seen in all sensory modalities except vestibular sensation. LIMITATIONS: This study was composed of a relatively small number of participants with a wide spectrum of disease severity. CONCLUSIONS: Children with AD demonstrated hypersensory sensitivity. Understanding the sensory and behavioral characteristics of children with AD can promote the development of innovative intervention processes better geared to focus on patients' needs.

Published 17 September 2007 in J Am Acad Dermatol, 57(4): 610-5.
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