Prescribing Patterns for Atopic Dermatitis in the United States

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Pharmacology
• Public Health

Background:

• Atopic dermatitis (AD) treatment research aims to improve standard-of-care, but current prescribing patterns are not well-defined.
• Understanding current AD treatment is crucial for establishing a baseline for future clinical research and therapeutic advancements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the most frequently prescribed medications for patients of all ages diagnosed with atopic dermatitis (AD).

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS), a nationally representative survey of U.S. office-based ambulatory visits from 2006 to 2015.
• Analyzed patient visits with an ICD-9-CM code for AD (691.8), creating frequency tables for demographics, providers, and treatments.

Main Results:

• Topical corticosteroids were the most common medication class (59%), followed by antibiotics (11%) and second-generation antihistamines (6%).
• Triamcinolone was the most frequently prescribed topical corticosteroid (25%), with specific corticosteroid preferences varying by age group.
• Pediatricians managed the highest volume of AD visits, but dermatologists managed more AD visits per physician.

Conclusions:

• Topical corticosteroids are the predominant treatment for atopic dermatitis in ambulatory care settings.
• Antibiotics and second-generation antihistamines are the next most common prescriptions for AD.
• Characterizing current AD treatment practices provides a foundation for future research into novel therapies and improved standard-of-care.