National Eczema Association publishes a new paper
on eczema and mental health in Skin Health and Disease.
NOVATO,
Calif., June 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The National
Eczema Association (NEA) today announced the second publication
from its real-world research on eczema and its impacts on mental
health. The results were published in Skin Health and
Disease in June 2024. The
first paper from this research, which examined eczema patients'
perceptions of how mental health relates to eczema symptoms, was
published in Dermatitis in March
2024.
Over 31 million Americans live with atopic dermatitis (eczema),
a chronic skin disease without a known cause or cure that is
associated with significant and multifaceted burden. Research has
already shown that eczema is strongly associated with symptoms of
psychological distress, including anxiety, depression and social
isolation. However, until now there has not been an understanding
of what type of mental health support eczema patients receive or
don't receive from their primary eczema provider.
"This is the first study to explore this important topic for the
eczema patient community," said Jessica
Johnson, lead author of the study and director of community
engagement and research at NEA.
As part of the study, adult eczema patients (18 years or older)
as well as the primary caregivers of younger eczema patients
(children and teens ages 8 to 17 years) completed a survey about
mental health and eczema's relationship to mental health. The
survey included questions about eczema symptoms, mental health
symptoms, perceptions of the connection between eczema and mental
health and experiences accessing mental health services.
Mental health services in the survey were defined as, but not
limited to: counseling with a mental health provider; cognitive
behavioral therapy; social support groups; alternative mental
health therapy (such as music or art therapy); and/or mental health
medications.
Important findings from the study include:
- 42% of patients with AD and caregivers of children/teens with
eczema never spoke about mental health with primary eczema care
providers
- 50% of patients were never asked about mental health by their
primary eczema care provider during any visits
- 64% of adult patients and caregivers of young patients with
eczema were not referred to mental health resources
- The patients more likely to be referred to mental health
services included children, men, those with limited education and
people seeing non-specialists
- If patients were referred to mental health resources, the most
common referrals were to counseling services (23% of referrals),
alternative mental health therapy (15%), cognitive behavioral
therapy (13%) and peer/social support groups (12%)
- Among those who received a referral for mental healthcare, 57%
utilized the recommended services
- The patients more likely to have never spoken with their
primary eczema care providers about mental health included women,
people of low income and people seeing specialists (such as
dermatologists or allergists) for their primary eczema care
- Young adults 18–34 years old frequently reported not being
asked about their mental health but wanted to be
This survey showed that a significant portion of patients are
not being asked about or did not speak to their eczema care
provider about mental health. Furthermore, most eczema patients are
not receiving referrals for mental health support.
"We know about the emotional and psychological toll that eczema
can take on patients of all ages," added Wendy Smith Begolka, study senior author and
chief strategy officer at NEA. "Ideally, patients and healthcare
providers would feel comfortable discussing mental health during
their visits. Our study highlights the opportunity to help this
discussion occur more consistently."
More research is needed to identify the most effective mental
health interventions for eczema patients, as well as current
barriers to referring patients to mental healthcare. Future studies
may also help us better understand the role of patient advocacy
organizations, like NEA, in helping to mitigate the overall mental
health burden of eczema.
Additional findings and insights from this study are expected to
be published in the coming months.
For more information about this study and other research
conducted by NEA, visit NationalEczema.org/surveys.
About the National Eczema Association
Founded in 1988,
the National Eczema Association (NEA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and
the largest patient advocacy organization serving the over 31
million Americans who live with eczema and those who care for them.
NEA provides programs and resources to elevate the diverse lived
experience of eczema, and help patients and caregivers understand
their disease, actively engage in their care, find strength in one
another – and improve their lives. Additionally, NEA advances
critical eczema research and partners with key stakeholders to
ensure the patient voice is represented and valued in education,
care and treatment decision-making. The eczema community is at an
exciting juncture, with increased recognition of the seriousness
and burden of eczema and a surge in scientific interest and
development of new treatments. Bolstered by NEA's strategic
plan, Blueprint 2025, we are driving toward the ultimate vision: a
world without eczema. Learn more at NationalEczema.org.
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SOURCE National Eczema Association