Burden of Atopic Dermatitis in Patients Initiating Systemic Therapies in the United States

This study aimed to describe treatment patterns, frequency of comorbidities, and healthcare cost burden among patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) initiating systemic therapy (or re-initiating it after more than 12 months) versus matched controls without AD.

Patients with AD initiating oral corticosteroids (OCS), immunosuppressants (SIS), or biologics between 1/1/2017 and 6/30/2022 (index = first treatment) were identified for analysis in the MarketScan claims databases. Patients were continuously enrolled 12 months before (baseline) and after index (follow-up). Direct and propensity score matching were used to adjust for baseline differences between cases and controls. Comorbidities and all-cause healthcare costs within service categories were compared between AD cases and matched controls during follow-up and treatment patterns were described for all patients with AD.

A total of 20,503 patients with AD were identified. On index,12% initiated biologics, 86% OCS, and 2% SIS, and discontinuation rates were high during follow-up (SIS: 80%; biologics: 35%) The incidence of several comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease, atopic conditions, and mental health disorders, was higher in the AD cohort compared with matched controls (p < 0.001). Patients with AD (vs. matched controls) also had significantly higher mean total all-cause healthcare costs (US$15,134 vs. $6832; p < 0.001).

Patients with AD who are initiating systemic treatment experience an increased risk of being newly diagnosed with several comorbidities and higher healthcare costs compared with matched controls, which places increased burden on patients and healthcare systems.