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Education to improve quality of life of people with chronic inflammatory skin conditions: a systematic review of the evidence
Author(s) -
Pickett K.,
Frampton G.,
Loveman E.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/bjd.14435
Subject(s) - medicine , randomized controlled trial , psychological intervention , quality of life (healthcare) , atopic dermatitis , psoriasis , physical therapy , disease , coping (psychology) , patient education , family medicine , dermatology , clinical psychology , nursing
Summary Patient and carer education has been proposed as a way of improving health‐related quality of life ( HRQ oL) among people with chronic inflammatory skin conditions. This systematic review aimed to assess the effects of education that specifically addresses HRQ oL among people with chronic inflammatory skin conditions. We searched 12 literature databases and other sources (up to July 2014). Seven randomized controlled trials ( RCT s) met the review inclusion criteria. Data from these RCT s were extracted and critically appraised. Two RCT s showed that for psoriasis in adults, group‐based and text message education (as adjuncts to usual care) resulted in better HRQ oL and disease severity outcomes than comparators, respectively. One RCT found that group‐based education for children with eczema (atopic dermatitis) and their parents resulted in greater improvements in parents’ HRQ oL and in the children's disease severity than no education at 12 months. The remaining RCT s evaluated an educational session for psoriasis, a website for carers of children with eczema, information on skincare and make‐up use given to women with acne, and an itch‐coping programme for a range of conditions, all as adjuncts to usual care. None of these RCT s found statistically significant effects on HRQ oL or disease severity compared with usual care. Common features of the effective interventions were long delivery (over 6 weeks to 3 months) and delivery by a multidisciplinary team. Overall, the evidence base is currently limited and generally has an unclear risk of bias. There is a need for more large RCT s evaluating piloted and theory‐based interventions.