Therapeutic education may benefit patients with chronic hand eczema

Takeaway

• Therapeutic patient education (TPE) may be associated with improvements in severity, QoL, and work productivity in patients with chronic hand eczema (CHE).

Why this matters

• TPE helps patients learn how to manage a chronic disease and represents a complimentary approach to medication.

Key results

• TPE was associated with overall reductions in negative behaviors (P<.0001), such as overly frequent hand washing, use of dishwashing liquid for hand cleaning, use of hydro-alcoholic solutions, and use of nonprescribed moisturisers.
• TPE was associated with improvements in severity (modified Total Lesion Symptom Score; P<.0001), QoL (Dermatology Life Quality Index; P<.0001), and work productivity (Work Productivity and Activity Impairment; P<.0001 for presenteeism, P<.01 for absenteeism, P<.001 for work productivity loss, and P<.0001 for activity impairment).

Study design

• 71 patients with CHE received TPE as well as prescription of topical cortisol steroids (TCS); 58 patients completed the program and were analyzed 3 months after completion.
• Funding: Pierre Fabre Dermo-Cosmétique.

Limitations

• Lack of control group.
• Different to separate the effects of TPE from those of TCS treatment.