Symptom burden of patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis

Abstract

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease associated with intense and persistent pruritus. Objectives: To examine associations between AD symptoms and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adults (aged ≥18 years) with moderate-to-severe AD. Materials & Methods: Patient chart and survey data from physicians within Europe were derived from the Adelphi AD Disease Specific Programme (Q3 2019-Q2 2020). HRQoL measures included Euro-Qol 5-dimension, 3-level, questionnaire; Dermatology Life Quality Index; and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment—Atopic Dermatitis questionnaire. Data were evaluated using descriptive statistics and generalized linear models. Results: Of 631 patients, 90.1%, 49.3%, 18.5% and 17.7% reported pruritus, sleep disruption, anxiety and depression, respectively. Adjusted analyses indicated an increased frequency of symptoms associated with worse HRQoL and greater work/activity impairments, particularly for patients with pruritus and sleep disruption. Conclusion: Reductions in symptom frequency may have important implications for improving the overall health of patients with moderate-to-severe AD.