Atopic dermatitis epidemiological research methodology: a global scoping review.

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Atopic dermatitis (AD) represents a significant global health burden among skin diseases.
• Existing systematic reviews and meta-analyses face challenges due to methodological heterogeneity in epidemiological studies.
• A comprehensive review of current methodologies is crucial for a better understanding of AD's burden.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review identifying and mapping research methodologies in population-based atopic dermatitis epidemiological studies.
• To analyze case definitions, severity assessment methods, frequency measures, and socio-demographic factors in AD research.
• To highlight gaps and inconsistencies in current AD epidemiological research.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search from January 2023 to July 2024, including original, population-based studies on AD prevalence/incidence.
• Duplicate, blinded abstract screening and data extraction.
• Descriptive analyses stratified by geographic region and age group, presented visually.

Main Results:

• 111 studies from 48 countries were included, revealing significant heterogeneity in diagnostic criteria (physician diagnosis 69%, validated questionnaires 13%).
• Only 17% of studies reported on AD severity distribution.
• Underrepresentation of studies from South-East Asian (4%) and African (3%) regions was noted.

Conclusions:

• Population-based epidemiological studies on atopic dermatitis exhibit high heterogeneity, hindering cross-study comparisons.
• Standardization of research methodologies is essential for future AD burden assessments.
• Addressing geographical disparities in data collection is critical for a comprehensive global understanding of atopic dermatitis.