https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6269-5125
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Abstract
Background
Xerosis cutis is recognized as a burdensome and stressful condition of the skin, resulting in impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Therefore, it should be treated as a relevant skin disease with detailed care and treatment recommendations.
Methods
This cross-sectional, exploratory study aimed to examine xerosis cutis-related burden from patient’s perspective and compare it with individuals without xerosis cutis. Within-group comparisons were also performed among patients with xerosis cutis associated with atopic dermatitis (AD) or not. The second aim was to assess the effect of a routinely applied basic skin care therapy in terms of burden release.
Results
Overall, 127 participants were included in the study. Patients with xerosis cutis reported a lower quality of life (p = .041), more dysmorphic concerns (p < .001), and higher general anxiety (p = .029) than individuals without xerosis cutis. The presence of AD was associated with lower HRQoL (p = .023), more depression (p = .008) and anxiety symptoms (p = .003), and more stigmatization experiences at baseline (p < .001).
Conclusion
Patients with xerosis cutis showed higher psychosocial burden than participants without xerosis cutis. Additionally, patients with xerosis and AD had more psychosocial impairments than patients with xerosis without AD.
Acknowledgement
The authors thank the Scientific Communication Team of the IVDP, in particular Merle Twesten and Mario Gehoff, for copy editing.
Disclosure statement
C. C. von Stülpnagel and N. da Silva declare no conflict of interest. M. Augustin has served as paid speaker, and/or has received research grants, honoraria, and/or got travel expenses reimbursed for consulting, and/or scientific lectures by Beiersdorf AG. R. Sommer has received speaker, and/or research honoraria, and/or travel expenses by Beiersdorf AG. G. Nippel and L. Schmidt are employees at the funding company.
Ethical approval
The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Medical Association of Hamburg (PV7070) and a written informed consent was obtained from every participant.