Anxiety, aggression, and body ideal in adult atopic dermatitis patients

Background: Aggression and body ideal hold important implications for the anxiety level associated with atopic dermatitis (AD). Most studies of aggression in AD have relied on self-evaluation measures or case descriptions. Methods: This study investigates the relationship between anxiety and management of aggression and body ideal, using the Karolinska Psychodynamic Profile (KAPP), a semi-structured interview quantifying clinical behavior. In KAPP body ideal, consists of 3 subscales: Bodily appearance (BA), bodily functioning (BF), and body image (BI). Results: Thirty-one adult AD patients were compared on KAPP, trait anxiety (STAI), the anxiety index on the SCL-90, and skin condition (SCORAD). Aggression was significantly correlated with STAI (r = 0.42, p < 0.05) and SCL-90 (r = 0.48, p < 0.01). STAI, but not SCL-90, was correlated with BA (r = 0.39, p < 0.05), BF (r = 0.51, p < 0.01) and BI (r = 0.36, p < 0.05). A post hoc analysis suggested that the SCL-90 depression index rather than anxiety is associated with BI. There was no relationship between SCO-RAD and KAPP or SCORAD and anxiety level. Conclusion: It is concluded that aggression and body ideal are important indicators for managing anxiety in AD, and that KAPP is a relevant inventory in the assessment of AD.