Obsessive compulsive symptoms in mothers of children with atopic dermatitis.

INTRODUCTION

Maternal stress, depression and anxiety are associated with atopic dermatitis (AD) in offspring. However, the relationship between maternal obsessive compulsive symptoms (OCS) and AD in their children is unclear.

AIM

To investigate whether maternal OCS are associated with AD in offspring.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 75 children with AD diagnosed by the paediatric allergist and 76 healthy children and their mothers were included in the study. A Turkish version of the Maudsley Obsessive Compulsive Inventory (MOCI-T) was used to assess OCS of mothers in both groups.

RESULTS

Total MOCI-T score and slowness, doubt, and rumination subscale scores were higher in the AD group than in the healthy group ( = 0.007, = 0.001, = 0.012 and = 0.011, respectively) but washing/cleaning and checking subscale scores did not reach a statistically significant difference ( = 0.203 and = 0.053, respectively). There was no correlation between SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) and MOCI-T/subscales scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provides evidence for associations between maternal OCS and infantile AD. The findings support recommendations for psychosocial support of mothers of children with AD.