Therapeutic Research

Abstract

Background：Infantile hemangioma（IH） is the most common benign vascular tumors of infancy in which spontaneous regression is observed, but IH often leaves sequelae that may cause disfigurement. If sequelae are left, the result may be unbearable, so sometimes positive treatment is required. There is no research report on the guardians’ anxiety about the disease, treatment, or impression of sequelae. Objectives：The aim of this study was to clarify the guardian’s anxiety about the disease and treatment of IH, and the impression of therapeutic outcome of guardian and physician. Methods：Questionnaire surveys for guardians and physicians were conducted via the Internet. Subjects selected for the questionnaire for guardians were mothers with children diagnosed with IH, and for the physician’s questionnaire, physicians who treated one or more IH patients in the past 3 months. The guardian’s questionnaire consisted of 13 items, including anxiety about the disease and treatment and impression of treatment results. The physician’s questionnaire consisted of 11 items, including expectation for treatment and impression of therapeutic outcome. Results：In the guardian survey, 71.9％（222 of 309） of respondents had anxiety of sequelae during treatment and chose to “wait and see”. There were no differences with respect to gender or location. When sequelae such as redundant skin, pigmentation, and depigmentation remained on the face, the percentage of “very unsatisfied” and “unsatisfied” among guardians was greater than that of physicians. Conclusion：As a result of the survey, we have concluded that it is necessary to carry out ongoing mental support regardless of gender and location, and consider early treatment to prevent sequelae.