Prevalence of atopic dermatitis among pediatric and adult patients: a cross-sectional study at king abdulaziz medical city, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory skin disease affecting people globally, with a prevalence exceeding 15%. Despite its common occurance, further research is necessary to fully understand its characteristics and risk factors, especially across different age groups. This study aims to determine the prevalence, clinical characteristics, risk factors, and systemic involvement of AD in adult and pediatric patients in a tertiary care setting at King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This cross-sectional, retrospective study was conducted on all atopic dermatitis patients at KAMC in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected from medical records and the BESTCare system and analyzed with SPSS version 26. A total of 603 AD patients were collected, with 53.4% being female and 46.6% male. The mean age of the patients was 25.3 years, with 52.7% consisting of pediatric patients (< 18 years). Adult patients had higher BMI levels and a longer duration of AD, whereas pediatric patients had higher IgE levels. AD was more prevalent in childhood than in adults, and adult patients with comorbidities were more affected by AD than the general population. In conclusion, the study findings highlighted that atopic dermatitis is more common in pediatric patient, however it poses a great impact in adults with comorbidities. The study's findings imply that a prospective investigation is required to confirm the cause and effect of this condition, especially in adult patients with comorbidities. Atopic dermatitis is more common in children than adults, but adults with AD face greater challenges due to comorbidities and higher BMI. Tailored management strategies are needed for different age groups.