Health Utility Scores of Atopic Dermatitis in US Adults

The impact of atopic dermatitis (AD) on health-related quality of life and health utility in the US adult population is not well established.

To determine the health utilities and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) lost in adults with AD versus without AD in the US population.

A cross-sectional, population-based study of 3495 adults was performed. AD was determined using modified UK diagnostic criteria for AD. AD severity was assessed using self-reported global AD severity, the Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure, the Patient-Oriented Scoring AD, and the Patient-Oriented Scoring AD itch and sleep. Six-dimensional health state short form (SF-6D) health utility scores and total QALY loss were assessed.

The mean SF-6D score was lower in adults with AD compared with healthy adults (0.69 [95% CI, 0.68-0.70] versus 0.79 [95% CI, 0.77-0.79]). In particular, those with moderate-to-severe AD (mean, 0.53-0.66) had similar or lower SF-6D scores compared with those with all other self-reported disorders examined, except autoimmune disorders. Adults with AD and atopic comorbidities had significantly lower SF-6D scores compared with those without atopic comorbidities. Among the 7 disorders examined, AD was associated with higher total QALY loss than autoimmune disorders, diabetes, food allergy, and heart disease in both males and females. The largest QALY loss was for moderate AD in females and mild AD in males.

Moderate-to-severe AD is associated with significant decrements of health utility in the US population. These data illustrate the heavy societal burden of moderate and severe AD and provide important insight for prioritization of resource allocation and cost-effectiveness research.