A caregiver handbook improved family confidence in managing atopic dermatitis (AD) in children, but it does not improve AD symptoms, according to a study publishing in Pediatric Dermatology.
“We evaluated whether an educational handbook could improve AD symptoms, caregiver confidence in AD management skills, and AD-related quality of life,” explained the study authors.
Researchers randomly assigned the handbook in addition to standard AD management to the caregivers of children with AD ages 1 month to 16 years. At the 3-month follow-up, caregivers completed self-report outcome questionnaires.
The decrease in the mean Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure score was similar in both the handbook and control arms (-4.4; 95% CI, -5.8, -3.0; vs -3.4; 95% CI, -4.8, -2.03, respectively; P = .343). Quality of life was the same in both arms. The caregivers rated the handbook as helpful in managing the child’s AD and it increased caregiver attendance at patient visits.
“Despite an adequate sample size, the handbook did not improve AD symptoms more than standard management alone,” concluded the study authors. “The handbook improved confidence in management skills for families attending new patient visits for AD,” they continued. –Lisa Kuhns
Reference
LeBovidge JS, Timmons K, Delano S, et al. Improving patient education for atopic dermatitis: a randomized controlled trial of a caregiver handbook. Pediatr Dermatol. 2021;10.1111/pde.14519. doi:10.1111/pde.14519
