Chronic hand eczema burdens patients, impacts quality of life
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Key takeaways:
- Between 11% and 20% of the population has chronic hand eczema.
- Respondents used an average of 1.7 prescriptions.
- 26% used six or more over-the-counter treatments.
BOSTON — Chronic hand eczema can interfere with daily activities and have a significant negative impact on quality of life, according to an abstract presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Annual Scientific Meeting.
Although between 11% and 20% of the U.S. population is affected by chronic hand eczema, little is known about the experiences of these patients, Wendy Smith Begolka, MBS, chief strategy officer, research, medical and community affairs, National Eczema Association, and colleagues wrote.
The researchers surveyed 577 adults and caregivers of pediatric patients with seborrheic dermatitis, chronic hand eczema and/or dyshidrotic eczema via the internet about how they manage their disease and about its impacts on their daily lives.
The cohort included 383 respondents (66%) who said they had been diagnosed with hand eczema, and 288 (75%) focused on the impacts of chronic hand eczema for the rest of the survey.
Respondents reported itching (84%), red and inflamed skin (77%) and dry, sensitive skin (73%) among their most problematic symptoms. Also, respondents reported using 1.7 prescriptions on average for their chronic hand eczema, with 26% reporting that they used six or more over-the-counter treatments. Disease management required more than 10 hours each week for 26% of respondents.
Further, 45% said that chronic hand eczema had a high or significant impact on instrumental activities of daily living, such as doing laundry, preparing meals, managing chores and cleaning, representing the greatest impact on quality of life.
Chronic hand eczema also had a negative impact on other daily living activities including bathing, getting dressed and personal hygiene for 38% of respondents as well as on mental health for 34%.
Additionally, 24% had comorbid asthma, and 34% had comorbid food allergy.
The challenges that symptoms, treatment management and emotional strain present these patients indicate gaps in care, the researchers said.
“It is essential to address both the physical and psychological aspects to enhance CHE management and promote overall patient wellbeing,” they wrote.