Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 6, 2025
Resolving Water, Proteins, and Lipids from In Vivo Confocal Raman Spectra of Stratum Corneum through a Chemometric Approach
Published on: September 26, 2019
Treatment Patterns of Atopic Dermatitis Medication in 0-10-Year-Olds: A Nationwide Prescription-Based Study
Cathrine Helene Mohn1, Hege S Blix2,3, Anja Maria Brænd4
1Department of General Practice, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. c.h.mohn@medisin.uio.no.
Insights
Most children with atopic dermatitis (AD) have mild cases treated briefly. Male sex and early-onset AD predict longer treatment durations and more potent medication use.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Literature on pediatric atopic dermatitis (AD) treatment patterns is limited and rarely uses real-world data.
- This study aimed to provide current, population-based prevalence estimates and treatment insights for pediatric AD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze treatment patterns and disease course in pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis using national register data.
- To identify predictors of long-term treatment and severe disease in children with AD.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of dispensed prescriptions for the entire Norwegian child population (ages 0-10) from 2014 to 2020.
- Population-based cohort study utilizing national health registers.
Main Results:
- 176,458 pediatric patients with AD were identified; 99.2% received topical corticosteroids.
- Early-onset AD and male sex were associated with longer treatment durations (≥5 years) and increased use of potent topical corticosteroids.
- Patients with early-onset AD were more likely to receive potent topical corticosteroids and be treated for skin infections.
Conclusions:
- The majority of pediatric AD cases are mild and treated for short periods.
- Male sex and early-onset AD are significant predictors for long-term treatment, potent topical corticosteroid use, and co-occurring skin infections.
- Findings support personalized prognosis, healthcare planning, and future AD prevention trials.
Introduction:
The literature on treatment patterns for paediatric atopic dermatitis (AD) is scarce and is rarely based on real-world data. Using national registers, we sought to establish up-to-date, population-based prevalence estimates, predictors of risk and disease burden and a comprehensive overview of treatment patterns and course for paediatric patients with AD.
Methods:
Dispensed prescriptions for the entire Norwegian child population aged 0-10 years from 2014 to 2020 were analysed.
Results:
There were 176,458 paediatric patients with AD. Of these, 99.2% received topical corticosteroids, 5.1% received topical calcineurin inhibitors, 37.1% received potent topical corticosteroids and 2.1% received systemic corticosteroids. Of the 59,335 live births in Norway (2014), 14,385 [24.8%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 24.5-25.1] paediatric patients were treated for AD before the age of 6 years, and of these, only 934 (6.5%; 95% CI 6.1-6.9) received medication annually for 5 years or more. Compared with girls, 17.9% (95% CI 6.5-27.9) more boys were treated for at least 5 years, receiving 6.4% (95% CI 1.2-11.3) more potent topical corticosteroids and 12.4% (95% CI 6.5-18.0) more were treated for skin infections. Compared with patients with late-onset treatment, 18.9% (95% CI 7.5-29.0) more paediatric patients with early-onset treatment were still receiving treatment at 5 years of age, 15.7% (95% CI 7.1-23.4) more paediatric patients received potent topical corticosteroids and 44.4% (95% CI 36.5-51.2) more paediatric patients were treated for skin infections.
Conclusion:
Most paediatric patients were treated for a mild disease for a limited period. Although the prevalence of AD is higher at a younger age, these paediatric patients were the least likely to receive potent topical corticosteroids. Male sex and early-onset AD are associated with and are potential predictors of long-term treatment and treatment of potent topical corticosteroids, antihistamines and skin infections, which may have clinical utility for personalised prognosis, healthcare planning and future AD prevention trials.
Related Concept Videos
01:02Prescription, Nonprescription and Orphan Drugs
The misuse and addiction to prescription drugs is a growing problem that can affect people of all age groups, specifically teenagers. This can happen when prescription medications are used in ways not intended by the prescriber, such as taking someone else's prescription or using medication for...
01:30Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes:
01:21Factors Affecting Drug Response: Overview
01:25Antiasthma Drugs: Inhaled Corticosteroids and Glucocorticoids
ICS work through a multifaceted mechanism of action. They suppress the inflammatory response caused by the proliferation of TH cells. They also reduce the transcription of the IL-2 gene, which is involved in the...
01:25Drug Classes and Categories
01:15Drug Dosage Regimen: Overview
Typically, the starting dose and dosing interval are guided by the manufacturer's recommendations based on clinical trials conducted during and after drug...