Self‐reported stigmatisation among patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) or chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU): A cross‐sectional study

Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) and chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) are two prevalent, visible itching skin diseases associated with decreased quality of life (QoL), sleep disturbance, depression anxiety. However, little is known about stigmatisation among patients suffering from these diseases. Objectives To examine whether AD or CSU experience if disease severity psychosocial variables associate experienced stigmatisation. Methods A cross-sectional survey was performed adult highly specialised university hospitals private dermatology clinics. External examined using the 6-item Stigmatisation Scale (6SS). assessed by dermatologists Eczema Area Severity Index (EASI) score. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) included: Patient-Oriented Measure, Urticaria Activity Score over 7 days (UAS7), Control Test, Dermatology Life Quality Index, 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire, 7-item Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Insomnia Work Productivity Impairment Questionnaire: General Health. Nonparametric statistics were used due to nonnormal distribution data. Data managed in REDCap analysed Stata for macOS. Results Mean EASI score 7.6 (±10.7) mean UAS7 15.6 (±12.0), CSU, respectively. reported 78.6% 57.3% patients. 6SS 2.9 (±2.8) 1.9 patients, levels differed significantly (p < 0.001). In both correlated weakly moderately disturbance (rs = 0.48 rs 0.30) symptoms 0.50 0.38) anxiety 0.46 0.36), but not as measured UAS7. Conclusion Both report external stigmatisation, which psychological parameters severity. Further studies on needed should include a standardised scale embracing internal facets