Epidemiology of atopic dermatitis in adults: Results from an international survey

S. Barbarot, S. Auziere, A. Gadkari, G. Girolomoni, L. Puig, E. L. Simpson, D. J. Margolis, M. de Bruin-Weller, L. Eckert

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

524 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: There are gaps in our knowledge of the prevalence of adult atopic dermatitis (AD). Objective: To estimate the prevalence of AD in adults and by disease severity. Methods: This international, cross-sectional, web-based survey was performed in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, and Japan. Adult members of online respondent panels were sent a questionnaire for AD identification and severity assessment; demographic quotas ensured population representativeness for each country. A diagnosis of AD required subjects to be positive on the modified UK Working Party/ISAAC criteria and self-report of ever having an AD diagnosis by a physician. The proportion of subjects with AD who reported being treated for their condition was determined and also used to estimate prevalence. Severity scales were Patient-Oriented SCORAD, Patient-Orientated Eczema Measure, and Patient Global Assessment. Results: Among participants by region, the point prevalence of adult AD in the overall/treated populations was 4.9%/3.9% in the US, 3.5%/2.6% in Canada, 4.4%/3.5% in the EU, and 2.1%/1.5% in Japan. The prevalence was generally lower for males vs females, and decreased with age. Regional variability was observed within countries. Severity varied by scale and region; however, regardless of the scale or region, proportion of subjects reporting severe disease was lower than mild or moderate disease. Conclusions: Prevalence of adult AD ranged from 2.1% to 4.9% across countries. Severe AD represented a small proportion of the overall AD population regardless of measure or region.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1284-1293
Number of pages10
JournalAllergy: European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Volume73
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2018

Keywords

  • atopic dermatitis
  • epidemiology
  • prevalence
  • severity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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