Restrictions, isolations, and irregular distance learning negatively affect adolescents with atopic dermatitis (AD). The emerging skin changes are another stress and this is how the circle is closed - Hubert Godziątkowski, president of the Polish Society of Atopic Diseases, told PAP.
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory disease that has a tendency to recur. It manifests itself, inter alia, with eczema on the surface of the skin. The pandemic has left a special mark on teenage AD patients who have had COVID-19.
"The feeling of being threatened by the virus, difficulties at school related to distance learning, isolation, quarantine and limited contact with peers made the symptoms of the disease worsen in many young patients with atopic dermatitis"- said Godziątkowski.
Stress and strong emotions very often trigger the clinical symptoms of AD."The skin changes appearing on the body of a young man are another nerve, and this is how the circle is closed"- he said.
"The disease hinders normal functioning, affects the learning and relationships of young people with their peers. It destroys them physically and mentally, because the skin changes that appear are often the cause of stigmatization and social exclusion"- he continued.
According to the president of PTCA"AZS, in combination with the difficult access to specialist doctors and the omnipresent fear caused by the pandemic, puts young people in a very difficult position."
The data show that almost 96,000 people suffer from AD adolescents aged 12-17.
"Of these patients, about 200 teenage patients are severely ill. They require help in the form of biological therapy because they have exhausted all available treatment options"- he added.
According to the expert, the situation of patients with AD can improve access to biological therapy, which will "silence" or alleviate the symptoms of the disease and improve their quality of life.
"Biological treatment is based on the use of protein molecules produced by living organisms that inhibit or mimic the action of naturally occurring proteins in humans"- he explained.
This is how Dupilumab works. The American Food and Drug Administration recognized the therapy with this drug as a breakthrough. Testsclinical trials confirmed its effectiveness. Its use allows you to control the disease and reduce the occurrence of exacerbations.
In Poland, biological therapy is used to treat adult patients with severe AD.
"The drug is administered once a month as a subcutaneous injection, thanks to which patients can take subsequent doses on their own. Unfortunately, the therapy is not available for teenage patients. However, we hope that, as announced by the Ministry of He alth, it will change soon " - he said and emphasized that " only access to effective therapy is able to help young patients with severe AD " .
"We believe that the problem of atopic dermatitis in adolescents will be noticed and that they will finally be able to live a normal life"- he concluded.