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Support groups: their role in improving pruritus and quality of life of pediatric atopic dermatitis patients and their families

The intensity of pruritus and quality of life in children with atopic dermatitis and their families were evaluated after joining support groups. Random assignment was to interventional or control groups, and outcomes were evaluated by the Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index and Family Dermatis Impact (FDI) scale. Pruritus was measured by the Yosipovitch pruritus questionnaire. Each patient/family unit was considered as one patient. Patients were accompanied for 6 months and 32 patients satisfactorily completed the questionnaires. In the support group patients, pruritus intensity was similar to in controls but the pattern improved in the interventional group. Overall the quality of life increased significantly (p < 0.01), especially personal relationships (p = 0.02) and ...