Patient education in adults with atopic dermatitis according to the "Arbeitsge-meinschaft Neurodermitisschulung fur Erwachsene" (ARNE) concept

Atopic dermatitis (AD) represents a chronic inflammatory skin disease showing a 1-year prevalence of 2 -3% during adulthood. In a national randomized, controlled multicenter study initiated by the, Arbeitsgemeinschaft Neurodermitisschulung im Erwachsenenalter" (ARNE) a program for structured patient education conducted by a multi-professional team was developed and evaluated. At 1-year follow-up, patients who had participated in this 12-hour patient educational program (n = 168) significantly better improved in coping behavior with respect to itch (assessed by the, Juckreiz-KognitionsFragebogen", p < 0.001) and in quality of life (Skindex-29, p < 0.001) compared to the waiting control group (n = 147). More-over, the training led to a significantly better reduction in disease severity (SCORAD Index, p < 0.001). In this first randomized, controlled multicenter study on effects of patient education in adulthood AD, significant beneficial effects on psychosocial parameters as well as on the disease severity could be demonstrated.