A Pilot Study of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Programme in Patients Suffering from Atopic Dermatitis

Introduction: Patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) have several potential stressors including the symptoms of the disease itself, the stigmatization due to their appearance, and emotional and psychological strain. Psychological factors and stress can trigger and exacerbate the symptoms of skin diseases and there is evidence that stress has a relevant clinical effect on the function of skin cells in vivo. Our objective was to evaluate in a pilot study the feasibility, acceptance, and effectiveness of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme in AD patients in a clinical setting. Methods: 10 patients took part in an 8-week MBSR programme, which included, e.g., mindful and conscious awareness of the body and bodywork, and seated meditation. We assessed sociodemographics and disease related variables with standardized measures at predefined time points including Score of Atopic Dermatitis, Patient Oriented Eczema Measure, Dermatology Life Quality Index, Perceived Stress Questionnaire, Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory (FMI), and others. Participants also gave qualitative feedback regarding the effects of the intervention. Results: The mean age was 53.10 years (SD = 15.04), seven patients were female, and disease duration was 36.6 years (SD = 25.5). Calculating pre-post effect sizes (Cohen’s d), the FMI indicated significant improvement in the ‘”presence” and ‘”acceptance” subscales. There was also tendency for less stress. This was confirmed by the qualitative statements of the participants. Conclusions: The MBSR programme is feasible and acceptable for AD patients. Considering the long disease history and the severity of disease burden, the effects of this intervention seem promising as an adjunct to conventional treatments for patients with AD.

IDENTIFICATION OF MALASSEZIA SPECIES AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS OF ATOPIC DERMATITIS

Introduction: Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, recurrent inflammatory skin disease that is characterized by an eczematous reaction. Few studies have investigated fungi in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis, however, there are different about distribution of Malassezia species. Objectives: To indentificate of Malassezia species and its asociation with clinical manifestations in Vietnamese atopic dermatitis patient. Methods: 178 patients who were diagnosed with atopic dermatitis and had a postitive direct examination of Malassezia at the National hospital of dermatology and venereology between July 2019 and June 2020. Specimens were taken with cellotape, then stained in 20% of potassium hydroxit combined with ParkerTM blue black ink. All patient who had postive test were cultured on SDA and mDixon. For fungal samples, we selected pure colonies with morphological characteristics of yeast as follows about 1cm in diameter, round, cream or milky in color, smooth and glossy to detect the species. Results: From the samples of atopic dermatitis patients, we cultured and idenfified 41 cases. 5 species were found, in which M. globosa was the most common species, accounting for 39%, followed by M. restricta (19.5%), M. dermatis (17.1%), M. furfur (17.1%) and M. sympodialis (2.4%). Conclusion: On the skin lesions of Vietnamese patients with atopic dermatitis, M. globosa was the most common species with 39.0%.