Significant health literacy limitations may exist among atopic dermatitis patients, highlighting the need for tailored healthcare communication and support. A cross-sectional study associates limited health literacy with poorer health-related quality of life and older age, suggesting potential ways to improve patient care.
- Nearly one-third of atopic dermatitis patients exhibit limited health literacy, impacting their ability to manage the condition effectively.
- Limited health literacy is strongly linked to decreased health-related quality of life, underscoring the importance of accessible health information.
- Older atopic dermatitis patients demonstrate notably lower health literacy levels, indicating a demographic in particular need of targeted support.
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic skin condition requiring informed self-management for effective treatment. Health literacy (HL), the ability to understand and use health information, may influence patient outcomes. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology assessed HL among AD patients and its correlation with disease management and quality of life outcomes.
Methodology and Findings
Researchers used the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire 16 to assess perception-based HL and the Newest Vital Sign to assess performance-based HL in AD patients. On the basis of the former, the findings revealed that 32.4% of participants had limited HL, with a notable proportion struggling with basic health information comprehension, and on the basis of the latter, results showed inadequate HL in 20.3% of participants, which was associated with older age. This limitation was associated with poorer disease control, treatment outcomes, and a significant impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL).
The Impact of Limited Health Literacy on Patient Outcomes
Limited HL was found to worsen the challenges of AD management, leading to worse HRQoL. The study revealed that patients with inadequate HL were more likely to have a severely impaired quality of life, with a notable difference in the perception of disease control and treatment efficacy.
Older patients, in particular, displayed lower HL, suggesting that age-specific strategies may be necessary to improve outcomes in this group. Furthermore, logistic regression analysis adjusted for age and sex showed that patients with limited HL, based on the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire 16, were significantly more likely to report a large effect on their quality of life.
Applications in Clinical Settings
The study highlights the importance of recognizing HL barriers in patient care, especially for chronic conditions like AD. Healthcare providers are encouraged to employ both performance-based and perception-based assessments to identify patients with limited HL. Personalizing communication and interventions to meet the needs of these patients may significantly improve self-management capabilities and overall quality of life.
Source:
Leeman, E. J., & Loman, L. (2024). Health literacy in adult patients with atopic dermatitis: a cross-sectional study. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: Global, 100218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacig.2024.100218
