A novel multidisciplinary educational programme for patients with chronic skin diseases: Ghent pilot project and first results

Abstract

Chronic inflammatory skin disorders have a major impact on the patients' health related quality of life. Preliminary studies to date have suggested that additional educational and psychological training programmes may be effective in the management of chronic skin diseases, although more rigid methodology is needed. Our purpose was to investigate the effect on quality of life of a novel multidisciplinary educational programme for patients, 18 years or older, with chronic skin diseases. The 12-week intervention encompasses cognitive education on skin and general health issues, and stress-reducing techniques. Quality of life questionnaires were used to assess the participants at baseline and at the end of the program. These comprehend Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Skindex-29, Psoriasis Disability Index (PDI) and Quality of Life Index for Atopic Dermatitis (QoLIAD). Fifty-five patients participated in six programmes since 2006. Forty-three patients completed the programme. Overall, compared to baseline, DLQI (n = 39) improved by 5.64 points (p < 0.001; SD ±6.09), Skindex-29 (n = 27) by 19.67 points (p < 0.001; SD ±17.37), PDI (n = 9) improved by 7.44 points (p = 0.019; SD ±7.60) and QoLIAD (n = 13) improved by 4.39 points (p = 0.036; SD ±6.69) by the end of the intervention. Preliminary results show that the quality of life of the patients with chronic skin diseases improved significantly after participation to the programme. These positive initial results are stimulating to set up a prospective controlled randomised trial investigating the impact on quality of life, the clinical efficacy and the cost-effectiveness of this educational intervention programme.

A cross‐sectional study on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in psoriasis compared to psoriatic arthritis

“…Therefore, we and others 15,19 recommend that physicians treating moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis are instructed on how to screen for comorbid conditions, more specifically metabolic syndrome. Patient education with regard to lifestyle modifications (such as physical activity and diet) should be integrated in the general approach of psoriasis patients at risk 20 …”

Psoriasis and physical activity: a review

“…We located nine physical activity studies in psoriasis (Table 1). 7,26–31,33,34 In a survey of 14 667 adults, Kavli et al. 26 asked about physical activity during work and leisure, as well as whether individuals had ever been diagnosed with psoriasis.…”

“…Lambert et al. 34 was the only intervention indentified from our search. This non‐randomized intervention examined the effects of a multidisciplinary program on quality of life in skin disorders.…”

“…Complete follow‐up data from the Dermatology Life Quality Index was present for 15 psoriatics. From baseline, the 15 psoriatics had approximately a 40% reduction in the Dermatology Life Quality Index, indicating an improvement in quality of life 34 . Clearly, the non‐randomized and multi‐component nature of the study, missing follow‐up data, and lack of detailed physical activity description limits any conclusions that can be drawn.…”

Guidelines of care for the management of atopic dermatitis

“…28-31 The largest RCT to date involved 823 German children and adolescents with moderate to severe AD and their families. A six-week educational program consisting of once-weekly, two-hour sessions led by a team having dermatologic, nutritional, and psychological components resulted in decreased disease severity as measured by the SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index, relative to the control group.…”