Objectives Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common childhood disease with an increasing prevalence, affecting the quality of life of afflicted children. The onset of AD at an early age may disrupt normal sleep patterns, behavior, and relationships. Increased behavioral and discipline problems associated with AD have been documented. However, there are insufficient studies on AD at early ages, especially in Japan. This study aimed to examine the association between AD and the mental and behavioral health of children of preschool age.Methods This study was a part of a prospective cohort study (n=20,926), and children born after April 2008 (n=7,386) were the target population of this study. Those who answered the Japanese version of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) at 4 years of age (n=4,228) and answered the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) at 5 years of age were included in this study (n=3,862). The subscale scores of SDQ, namely, emotional symptoms, conduct problems, peer relationship problems, and hyperactivity/inattention, along with the sum of these 4 subscale scores, (total difficulties score (TDS), were investigated in relation to the prevalence of AD. SDQ scores were treated as continuous values for linear regression analysis and as dichotomized values for logistic regression analysis. The parental history of AD was adjusted in the final models.Results The prevalence of AD at 4 years of age was 20.7% (n=799). The mean scores of emotional symptoms, conduct problems, and TDS were significantly higher among children with AD than among those without AD. Linear regression analysis revealed increased scores for emotional symptoms, conduct problems, and TDS in association with AD. Logistic regression analysis revealed a significantly increased risk for conduct problems in children with AD.Conclusion This study found associations between AD at 4 years of age and emotional symptoms, conduct problems and TDS at 5 years of age. Further studies to assess the severity of AD and children's mental and behavioral problems at older ages are essential.
Keywords: Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ); atopic dermatitis; children; mental health.