[in Japanese]

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Forty-eight adult patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) were compared among the groups classified by its severity and course on peripheral blood chemistry, and serological indices. Those indices included eosinophils (Eo), immunogloblin E (IgE), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Moreover, some psychological indices were examined, inluding Cornell Medical Index (CMI), Tokyo University Egogram (TEG), etc. Then the correlation between the scores of psychological indices and Eo, IgE, and LDH values was examined respectively. We also evaluated the correlation within Eo, IgE, LDH values. Peripheral blood, blood chemistry, and serological examination revealed that Eo, IgE, and LDH values were elevated consequently. IgE was especially elevated to 4,285±4.1 IU/ml(mean±SD) in comparison with its standard value (165 IU/ml or less). Three groups classified by its severity (mild, moderate, severe) were compared by using one-way analysis of the variance (ANOVA) on Eo, IgE, and LDH values. As a result, IgE and LDH values of the severe group were both significantly highest (p=0.004,p=0.036). No siginificant results were obtained although the rest of three groups classified by its course (child onset type, temporarily remitted but exacerbated type, adult onset type) were also compared. We also found a significant negative correlation between IgE value and some CMI scores. We explained this reasons as follows ; 1) stress loading could connect with immunosuppression of IgE, 2) it is possible that subjective physical and psychological symptoms that subjects complained of might be reduced because severe AD patients who show elevation of IgE value scratch their skin hard and they can evaporate their stress. On the other hand, we also found a negative correlation between LDH value and "A"score of TEG (r=-0.407,p=0.021). Moreover, we obtained significant positive correlations between IgE value and LDH value (r=0.414,p=0.007), and between Eo and LDH value (r=0.374,p=0.002), respectively.

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We performed a group therapy to instruct autogenic training in the course of ten sessions. Effects of this therapy on patients' skin temperature and emotional state and a correlation of both parameters were investigated. In 14 patients who got any beneficial effects from the group autogenic training, skin temperature of the finger tip was continuously measured during the first and the last sessions and the Profile of Mood States (POMS) was administered before and after the same sessions. Skin temperature in the beginning phase and in midst phase when it showed the highest level during autogenic training showed no significant differences between these two sessions. However the decrease of skin temperature during five minutes after the training in the last session was significantly smaller than that in the first session. POMS scores before the training were decreased in scales of anxiety, depression, anger and confusion and increased in scales of vitality, but the changed score of each scale in two sessions did not differ from each other. There was no relationship between the change of skin temperature during five minutes after the training and the change of POMS scores in the first or the last session. It is concluded that repetitive practice of group autogenic training may lessen the decrease of skin temperature after the training.

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