Emotional Burden of Patients With Work-Related Hand Eczema: Results of an Exploratory Study in a Tertiary Individual Prevention Setting in Germany.

BACKGROUND

Work-related hand eczema (WRHE) is a prevalent skin condition associated with reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL), sleep disturbances or depression. While prior studies primarily explored emotional effects as part of HRQoL, emotions have been less studied separately.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the psychometric properties of the 'Atopic Eczema Score of Emotional Consequences' (AESEC) in patients with WRHE and to investigate the emotional impact of WRHE.

METHODS

Self-reported sociodemographic data as well as self-reported and clinically assessed disease severity of 223 patients (55.6% female; mean age: 48.1 ± 12.0 years) taking part in a tertiary prevention program for WRHE were included in the analysis. The factor structure was checked using an exploratory factor analysis. The emotional burden was determined using the AESEC.

RESULTS

The three underlying facets of emotional consequences, as previously described in the validation study of the AESEC, could not be replicated in patients with WRHE. Positive emotions were emphasised by items such as optimism, balance and self-confidence. Emotional burden was most evident in worries about life, sadness, lack of control, feelings of constraint and disturbance by itch.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with WRHE face a significant emotional burden indicating a great need for psychological support. Further studies on the psychometric properties of the AESEC in patients with WRHE are warranted.