Features of the clinical course of the disease, quality of life and systemic cytokine profile in patients with chronic true eczema and depression

The study examined 157 patients with chronic true eczema, 66 of whom also had comorbid depression. It found that those with both eczema and depression were generally younger and experienced a more severe disease course, with higher EASI and Pruritus scores, more frequent relapses, and lower quality of life as measured by the DLQI questionnaire. These patients also had elevated levels of IL-6 and TNF-α, indicating increased systemic inflammation. There was an inverse correlation between depression severity and age, and direct correlations with disease severity, pruritus, quality of life, and TNF-α levels. The study concludes that depression exacerbates the severity of chronic true eczema, worsens systemic inflammation, and significantly reduces quality of life.