Patient-Reported Impact of Atopic Dermatitis on Pediatric and Adolescent Patients With Moderate-To-Severe Disease: Results of a Real-World, Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common and burdensome disease. Treatment options for pediatric and adolescent patients (< 18 years old) with moderate-to-severe AD are limited, and real-world data on disease burden are lacking. This study examined patient-reported disease burden and treatments in pediatric and adolescent patients to identify opportunities for patient benefit. Data were drawn from the Adelphi Real World Pediatric AD Disease Specific Programme (DSP), a cross-sectional survey of physicians and patients < 18 years old, conducted in Europe and the United States between February–June 2019. Physicians documented demographics, clinical characteristics, and treatment history. Patients and/or their caregivers described disease burden, the degree of symptomatic bother, and quality of life (QoL). Data from 772 patients with moderate–to-severe AD were analyzed (pediatric; n = 393, 0–11 years, adolescent; n = 379, 12–17 years). Adolescents were more likely to be receiving a systemic corticosteroid (24% vs. 12%), phototherapy (15% vs. 6%), systemic immunosuppressant (15% vs. 6%) or a biologic treatment (5% vs. 1%) than pediatric patients (p < 0.0001). Two-thirds of patients had a high degree of “bother” from itch, and 38% reporting itch as the “most bothersome” symptom. More adolescent patients reported “bother” related to anxiety than pediatric patients (67% vs. 49%, p < 0.0001). Adolescent patients reported a significantly higher burden of embarrassment/self-consciousness (p < 0.0001) and AD impact on friendships (p < 0.05). Disease burden differed between pediatric and adolescent patients with AD. Treatment considerations for pediatric and adolescent patients with AD should take into account these factors, with future research directed toward improving the QoL in these patients.