What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) in Spain and explore sociodemographic disparities.

June 4, 2026Open Access

Sociodemographic Disparities in Atopic Dermatitis Prevalence in Spain

Key Points

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) in Spain and explore sociodemographic disparities.
Conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study using Spain’s National Health System Primary Care Clinical Database.
Identified AD cases using ICPC code S87 and calculated age-standardized prevalence rates (ASPRs) based on various sociodemographic factors.
Stratified prevalence by sex, age, country of origin, municipality size, income, and employment status.
Approximately 2,706,675 individuals in Spain lived with atopic dermatitis in 2023, with women having a higher burden (1,451,216 cases) than men (1,255,459 cases).
ASPRs in urban areas exceeded those in rural areas significantly, with rates of 8.52% for women and 7.74% for men in cities over 500,000 inhabitants.
Middle-income individuals showed the highest prevalence at 7.28% for women and 6.51% for men, and Spanish-born individuals had higher rates compared to foreign-born populations.

Abstract

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a widespread, chronic inflammatory skin condition with substantial global impact. While regional studies have explored its prevalence in Spain, comprehensive national data detailing AD prevalence across various sociodemographic groups remain limited. Objective: This study aimed to estimate the 2023 prevalence of AD in Spain and explore disparities across key sociodemographic groups. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study using Spain’s National Health System Primary Care Clinical Database (BDCAP). We identified AD cases via ICPC code S87. We calculated crude and age-standardized prevalence rates (ASPRs) and rate ratios, stratified by sex, age, country of origin, municipality size, income, and employment status. The 2013 European Standard Population was used for age standardization. Results: In 2023, an estimated 2,706,675 individuals in Spain were living with AD, with women (1,451,216 cases) experiencing a higher burden than men (1,255,459 cases), and also presenting with a higher mean age (27.23 years vs. 22.96 years for men). Urban living showed a clear dose–response relationship with AD prevalence. In cities with over 500,000 inhabitants, ASPRs reached 7.74% in men and 8.52% in women; significantly higher than in rural areas, where rates were 5.66% and 6.57%, respectively. Individuals in the middle-income bracket (€18,000–€99,999) consistently exhibited the highest prevalence, and the non-active employment group also demonstrated an elevated risk (ASPRs: 6.51% for men, 7.28% for women). Finally, Spanish-born individuals generally had higher AD prevalence compared to most foreign-born populations. Conclusions: Atopic dermatitis in Spain displays significant sociodemographic disparities, with urban environments, female sex, and non-active employment status emerging as key risk factors. These findings underscore the importance of targeted public health interventions and equity-focused dermatological planning.

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