10 Nov Patients With Eczema Receive More Preventative Health Care Services

Dr. Silverberg

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Jonathan L. Silverberg MD PhD MPH
Assistant Professor in Dermatology
Medical Social Sciences and Preventive Medicine
Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois

Medical Research: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

Dr. Silverberg: We previously showed that adults with eczema are more likely to smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol and have sedentary lifestyle. We wondered whether chronic eczema might negatively impact upon other health behaviors, such as seeking preventive care and vaccinations. On the other hand, previous studies from our group and others found that both children and adults with eczema have a number of comorbid medical and mental health conditions. One potential reason for this is detection bias from since eczema patients are “plugged into” the healthcare system because of their skin disease, which allows them to be diagnosed more frequently with other health problems.

We sought to understand the routine and preventive healthcare behaviors of children and adults with eczema. We found that adults with eczema were more likely to be vaccinated for tetanus, influenza, hepatitis A and B viruses, human papilloma virus and pneumonia. Moreover, they were more likely to undergo age-appropriate health screenings, such as blood pressure and cholesterol checks, but not cancer screening. Adults with eczema were more likely to interact with a variety of general doctors and specialists.

Similarly, childhood eczema was associated with higher rates of vaccination for influenza, well child checkups and interaction with most types of healthcare providers.

Medical Research: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?

Dr. Silverberg: The results suggest that patients with eczema engage in more preventive and routine healthcare. This is likely because their skin disease has “plugged them in” to the healthcare system by giving them an opportunity to form a positive therapeutic relationship with a provider treating their skin disease.

Moreover, patients with eczema likely have increased interaction with a variety of healthcare providers and specialists owing to their many allergic and non-allergic comorbidities. This underscores the need for comprehensive care of eczema patients by multiple providers to improve their overall health.

Medical Research: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Dr. Silverberg: Increased healthcare utilization in eczema patients may lead to a detection bias for a variety of comorbidities. Therefore, future studies of the comorbidities and burden of eczema must address this potential detection bias by controlling for the number and types of healthcare interactions.

Citation:

Utilization of Preventive Health Care in Adults and Children With Eczema

Dr. Jonathan L. Silverberg MD PhD MPH (2015). Patients Eczema Receive More Preventative Health Care Services

Last Updated on November 10, 2015 by Marie Benz MD FAAD