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BACKGROUND: Given its public health impact, there is need for broad and representative data on the humanistic burden of atopic dermatitis (AD). OBJECTIVE: To establish the humanistic burden of AD in US adults. METHODS: Data were from the 2013 US National Health and Wellness Survey; AD self-reports were propensity-matched with non-AD controls and with psoriasis controls. Bivariate analyses were conducted on burden outcomes between the AD and control groups. RESULTS: Demographics and baseline characteristics were comparable between matched groups. Subjects with AD (n = 349) versus non-AD controls (n = 698) had significantly higher rates of anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders (29.8%, 31.2%, and 33.2% vs 16.1%, 17.3%, and 19.2%, respectively all P < .001); a lower Short Form-36 v2 mental component summary score (44.5 vs 48.0, respectively P < .001); a lower physical component summary score (47.6 vs 49.5, respectively P = .004), and lower health utilities (0.67 vs 0.72, respectively P < .001) in addition to a higher work absenteeism rate (9.9% vs 3.6%, respectively P < .001) and activity impairment rate (33.6% vs 25.2%, respectively P < .001). Subjects with AD and psoriasis controls (n = 260 each) showed similar impairment in health-related quality of life and productivity. LIMITATIONS: Data were self-reported. CONCLUSION: AD is associated with a substantial humanistic burden that is similar in magnitude to that of psoriasis, which is also recognized for its debilitating symptoms, indicating the need for more effective treatments for AD.
Eckert et al. (Sat,) studied this question.