The multidimensional burden of atopic dermatitis: an update.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease that affects 11% of children [1] Shaw T.E. Currie G.P. Koudelka C.W. Simpson E.L. Eczema prevalence in the United States: data from the 2003 National Survey of Children's Health. J Invest Dermatol. 2011; 131: 67-73 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (543) Google Scholar and 5% to 7% of adults 2 Silverberg J.I. Garg N.K. Paller A.S. Fishbein A.B. Zee P.C. Sleep disturbances in adults with eczema are associated with impaired overall health: a US population-based study. J Invest Dermatol. 2015; 135: 56-66 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (233) Google Scholar , 3 Barbarot S. Auziere S. Gadkari A. et al. Epidemiology of atopic dermatitis in adults: results from an international survey [published online January 10, 2018]. Allergy. 2018; https://doi.org/10.1111/all.13401 Crossref PubMed Scopus (386) Google Scholar in the United States. Consequences of AD include itching, sleep disturbances, and impairment in physical activity and social functioning, affecting both patients and their families. [4] Drucker A.M. Wang A.R. Li W.Q. Sevetson E. Block J.K. Qureshi A.A. The burden of atopic dermatitis: summary of a report for the National Eczema Association. J Invest Dermatol. 2017; 137: 26-30 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (331) Google Scholar AD may also affect academics and choice of occupation. The total annual burden of AD in 2004 US dollars was estimated to be $4,228 billion, combining direct and indirect costs of care, but this is likely an underestimate of present day costs. [5] Bickers D.R. Lim H.W. Margolis D. et al. The burden of skin diseases: 2004 a joint project of the American Academy of Dermatology Association and the Society for Investigative Dermatology. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2006; 55: 490-500 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (551) Google Scholar The goal of this review is to provide an update on the multidimensional burden of AD (Fig 1). In 2015, the National Eczema Association (NEA) funded a comprehensive review of the burden of AD, including quality of life (QoL), social functioning, and academic, economic, and occupational burden. [4] Drucker A.M. Wang A.R. Li W.Q. Sevetson E. Block J.K. Qureshi A.A. The burden of atopic dermatitis: summary of a report for the National Eczema Association. J Invest Dermatol. 2017; 137: 26-30 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (331) Google Scholar A number of gaps were identified in that review, [6] Drucker A.M. Wang A.R. Qureshi A.A. Research gaps in quality of life and economic burden of atopic dermatitis: the National Eczema Association burden of disease audit. JAMA Dermatol. 2016; 152: 873-874 Crossref PubMed Scopus (41) Google Scholar some of which have been addressed by new studies. Atopic dermatitis: More than a rashAnnals of Allergy, Asthma & ImmunologyVol. 120Issue 6PreviewIn the current issue of the Annals, Bridgman et al1 provide an overview on the multidimensional burden of atopic dermatitis (AD). It is clear from this perspective that patients with AD are affected in multiple ways, leading to impaired quality of life and social functioning, low self-esteem, more sick days, reduced physical activity, and academic and work impairment. These effects lead to disruption not only of the patients' lives but that of their families, with increased feelings of helplessness, stress, and low general life satisfaction. Full-Text PDF