Characteristics, Disease Burden and Healthcare Resource Use of Moderate and Severe Atopic Dermatitis in Australia

Atopic dermatitis (AD) affects up to 2.8 million Australians. This study examines the current characteristics of the disease and the burden placed on Australian adults living with moderate-to-severe AD.

A cross-sectional online survey of persons with moderate to severe AD (n = 300), enrolled in October 2024, was conducted, examining self-reported demographics, AD characteristics and burden of disease, including the Patient Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM) and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). All analyses were descriptive and assessed by the following subgroups: moderate AD, severe AD and severe AD on advanced therapy.

The mean (SD) age of participants was 38.2 (11.87) years, with 53.7% being female and 69.7% Caucasian. AD was active in 92.3% of participants, with a mean of 56.9 (65.9) active flare days in the past 6 months. The mean POEM score was 14.6 (5.90), and 90.7% reported disturbed sleep due to AD. Among employed respondents, the mean number of reduced workdays due to AD in the previous month was 3.2 (3.22). AD significantly impacted 59.0% of respondents' ability to engage in activities of interest. Co-morbidities were common, with 48.3% having at least one; the most prevalent being allergies (29.0%), anxiety (24.0%), and depression (13.7%).

Nearly all participants experienced sleep disturbances, and the prevalence of anxiety and depression was high. Active flares in AD were frequent. Work and social impairment in moderate-to-severe AD was significant, including for many receiving currently available advanced therapies. There remains a need for new treatments in Australia to alleviate the current AD burden.