Introduction: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that extends beyond physical symptoms and is associated with psychological burden and impaired social functioning. The aim of this study was to determine the associations between psychological variables, including anxiety, depression, and emotion regulation, as well as quality of life, and perceived disease severity (itch) in patients with atopic dermatitis.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 120 patients with atopic dermatitis who attended the Dermatology Clinic of Baqiyatallah Hospital. Data were collected using a demographic checklist, the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for itch severity, the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ). Data were analyzed using Spearman’s correlation test and multiple linear regression in SPSS.
Results: The mean age of the participants was 39.3 years. The findings showed a very strong positive correlation between perceived disease severity (itch) and impaired quality of life (r = 0.867) and a strong positive correlation with anxiety (r = 0.621) (P < 0.001). Contrary to expectations, the association between perceived disease severity (itch) and depression was weak and negative (r = −0.271). In the regression analysis, impaired quality of life, explaining 75.3% of the variance, was the strongest predictor of perceived disease severity (itch). No significant difference in perceived disease severity (itch) was observed between groups with adaptive and maladaptive emotion regulation strategies.
Conclusion: Perceived disease severity (itch) in patients with atopic dermatitis was significantly associated with quality of life and anxiety levels. Therefore, psychological screening and attention to quality of life may be considered alongside clinical treatment in the assessment and management of these patients.