The use of social media platforms to discuss and educate the public on allergic contact dermatitis

Landscape of social networking support groups for common dermatological conditions

Dermatological conditions are one of the most common reasons for clinical visits. Not only can they have a profound effect on patients' cosmetic appearances, but they also have a notable impact on their self-esteem, confidence, and body image, ultimately causing psychological distress. As social networking platforms become the new public space for discussion, patients have transitioned from in-person support groups to seeking online advice, support, and guidance. We conducted queries across various social networking platforms to identify and analyze active social networking support groups for common dermatological conditions. Thirty-six online support groups were identified for the top four dermatological conditions with the highest disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). We analyzed, recorded, and categorized each group according to target dermatological condition, social networking platform, support group host, engagement rate, and content of posts. In the groups identified, the majority were patient-driven (88.89%). When evaluating the engagement activity and frequency, 77.78% (n = 28) of groups had daily posts and 22.22% (n = 8) posted weekly. Additionally, we discovered a notable feature among support groups on Facebook and Reddit being more interactive and collaborative. This underscores the importance of enabling patients with dermatological conditions to generate posts and engage in open discourse, rather than absorbing single-user generated content from other popular platforms. Understanding the current landscape of social networking support groups can aid clinicians in disseminating information and resources for patients to create communities with other patients.

Impact on quality of life of an intervention providing additional information to patients with allergic contact dermatitis; a randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Allergic contact dermatitis can negatively impact an individual's daily life in terms of work and interpersonal relationships. Patch-tested individuals show an improved quality of life (QoL).

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to assess the impact on QoL after patch testing and what value an intervention would have on QoL.

METHODS

Dermatology Quality of Life Index (DLQI) were assessed in participants with positive patch test reaction. The participants were randomized, in parallel design, into two groups that received either standard information (controls, n = 70) or a reminder letter in addition to standard information (intervention group, n = 66), ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01953380.

RESULTS

The response rate was 74% (n = 136). The DLQI score was significantly lower 1 year after patch testing in comparison with baseline in the entire group (mean DLQI 6.3 and 4.5 respectively, 95% CI 0.93-2.72, P < 0.001). However, linear regression analyses showed no significant differences in DLQI score at follow-up between the intervention and control groups. Neither age nor gender had impact on DLQI score.

CONCLUSION

There was an improvement of QoL at follow-up in the entire group. However, the intervention performed did not show any significantly greater improvement concerning QoL. Further research is needed to understand what factors apart from patch testing and medical care may affect QoL in patients with contact dermatitis, and what interventions are needed to improve QoL.