Current Status and Influencing Factors of Self-Management Behaviors Among Chinese Patients with Atopic Dermatitis: A Cross-Sectional Study

Xue Chen, Lei Zhao, Zhirun Wang Medicine School of Lishui University, Lishui University, Lishui, Zhejiang Province, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Zhirun Wang, Medicine School of Lishui University, Lishui University, Lishui, Zhejiang Province, People’s Republic of China, Email [email protected]: To understand the current status of self-management behaviors and their influencing factors in patients with atopic dermatitis, and to provide evidence for developing targeted interventions to improve these behaviors.Methods: This cross-sectional study investigated the self-management behaviors of 209 Chinese patients with atopic dermatitis using structured questionnaires.It was conducted at Lishui People’s Hospital in Zhejiang Province from July 2025 to January 2026.A total of 209 patients with atopic dermatitis from the dermatology outpatient clinic and wards of the hospital were surveyed using face-to-face questionnaires.The survey instruments included a general information questionnaire (covering socio-demographic and clinical characteristics), the Scoring Atopic Dermatitis(SCORAD)index, the Atopic Dermatitis Control Tool(ADCT), the Chronic Disease Self-Management Behavior Scale(CDSMBS), the Chronic Disease Self-Efficacy Scale(CDSES), the Social Support Rating Scale(SSRS), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale(HADS).Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27.0.Results: The mean total score for the CDSMBS among the 209 patients was 34.93± 7.85.The mean total score for the self-efficacy subscale of the ADCT was 36.08± 15.53.The mean total score for the SSRS was 38.52± 9.98, and the mean total score for the HADS was 19.04± 7.76.Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that age, education level, family history of atopic dermatitis, history of other allergies, place of residence, disease control status, social support, anxiety and depression, and self-efficacy were the main factors associated with self-management behaviors in patients with atopic dermatitis.These variables explained 50.2%of the variance in self-management behaviors (P< 0.001).Conclusion: The current level of self-management behaviors among patients with atopic dermatitis is moderate. The findings of this cross-sectional study indicate that self-management behaviors are associated with factors such as age, education level, disease control status, social support, anxiety and depression, and self-efficacy.It is important to note that due to the cross-sectional design, causal inferences cannot be drawn from these findings.To improve the self-management behaviors of patients with atopic dermatitis, attention should be focused on key groups such as the elderly, those with lower education levels, and those with poor disease control. Enhancing self-efficacy and encouraging a positive attitude towards the disease may help improve their self-management behaviors.Keywords: atopic dermatitis, self-management behaviors, current status, influencing factors