Burden of atopic dermatitis in adults

What is it about?

In this study we investigated the burden of atopic dermatitis in terms of mental comorbidity, educational attainment and work performance. Our study shows that adults with atopic dermatitis have an increased risk for severe depression and anxiety. Persons with severe atopic dermatitis had less often a university degree, were more often unemployed and had a lower income compared to persons without atopic dermatitis. These unfavorable associations increased considerably for those with both asthma and atopic dermatitis. Therefore, assessing patient´s mental health status should be considered as part of standard care and decision makers should prioritize the holistic treatment of atopic dermatitis.

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Photo by Jan Gottweiss on Unsplash

Photo by Jan Gottweiss on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Atopic dermatitis is a common skin disease. In this study we investigated the burden of atopic dermatitis in terms of mental comorbidity, academic attainment and ability to work. Our study shows that adults with atopic dermatitis have an increased risk for severe depression and anxiety. We report, for the first time, that persons with severe atopic dermatitis are less likely to have a university degree and have a lower income compared to persons without atopic dermatitis. These unfavorable associations increase considerably for patients with severe atopic dermatitis and asthma. Therefore, clinicians should be vigilant for increased mental comorbidity in patients with atopic dermatitis and decision makers should prioritize the treatment of atopic dermatitis.