Disease Burden of Atopic Dermatitis

Disease Burden of Atopic Dermatitis

The signs and symptoms of AD are disrupting the lives of patients

AD is a common, chronic, and fluctuating inflammatory skin disease that is characterised by persistent itch, embarrassing eczematous lesions, and frequent skin infections.1-2 But persistent itch is much more than just an irritating sensation—it is the most burdensome symptom for patients with AD and can significantly disrupt their daily activities, sleep, and psychological well-being.2-4

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79%

of patients with AD and their caregivers reported that itch was among their top 3 most problematic symptoms.2*

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39%

of adults with AD reported that the physical appearance of their skin disease caused them to avoid social interaction.5†

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33%-90%

of adults with AD reported experiencing sleep disturbance.6‡

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44%

of AD patients were more likely to exhibit suicidal ideation compared to those without AD.7,§

Footnotes

*Results were based on a 2020 online 32-item survey of 1508 patients with AD and their caregivers from the United States and 57 other countries. Survey respondents were asked which 3 symptoms have been the most problematic for the patient with AD.2
 

†Results were based on a 2018 cross-sectional, population-based study of 602 adults with AD in the United States. The objective of the study was to assess the patient burden of AD in the United States population.5
 

‡Results were based on a 2021 clinical review of studies on sleep disturbance experienced by patients with AD, as well as its underlying mechanisms.6
 

§Results were based on a 2018 systematic review and meta-analysis of 15 studies that assessed 310,681 patients with AD around the world. The review included observational studies that evaluated suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and completed suicide among patients with AD.7

Learn More

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Cytokines in AD & PN
A woman with simulated atopic dermatitis gazes downward and scratches a diffuse lesion on her left arm due to severe itch she suffers

Drivers of AD
A man with simulated atopic dermatitis scratches at diffuse lesions on his neck while gazing downward due to severe itch he suffers

Diagnosing AD
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Resources
  1. Langan SM, Irvine AD, Weidinger S. Atopic dermatitis. Lancet. 2020;396(10247):345-360. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31286-1
  2. McCleary KK. More than skin deep: understanding the lived experience of eczema. March 18, 2020. Accessed August 1, 2022. https://www.aafa.org/media/2628/more-than-skin-deep-voice-of-the-patient-report.pdf                     
  3. Legat FJ. Itch in atopic dermatitis—what is new? Front Med (Lausanne). 2021;8:644760. doi:10.3389/fmed.2021.644760
  4. Ständer S. Atopic dermatitis. N Engl J Med. 2021;384(12):1136-1143. doi:10.1056/NEJMra2023911
  5. Silverberg JI, Gelfand JM, Margolis DJ, et al. Patient burden and quality of life in atopic dermatitis in US adults: a population-based cross-sectional study. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2018;121(3):340-347. doi:10.1016/j.anai.2018.07.006
  6. Bawany F, Northcott CA, Beck LA, Pigeon WR. Sleep disturbances and atopic dermatitis: relationships, methods for assessment, and therapies. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2021;9(4):1488-1500. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2020.12.007                                                     
  7. Sandhu JK, Wu KK, Bui TL, Armstrong AW. Association between atopic dermatitis and suicidality: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Dermatol. 2019;155(2):178-187. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2018.4566

References

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