Patient and Caregiver Perceptions on Education and Treatment Needs in Atopic Dermatitis from an International Survey

Patient education initiatives for atopic dermatitis (AD) improve medication adherence, treatment satisfaction, severity of disease, and quality of life. An international survey was conducted to better understand the journey of diagnosis and treatment, unmet needs, and educational preferences of patients and caregivers for children diagnosed with AD residing in the US, Europe, Japan, and the Gulf region.

A cross-sectional, anonymous, multilingual online survey was conducted from December 2024-January 2025. Eligible individuals were aged ≥ 18 years and either a patient diagnosed with AD by a medical professional or a caregiver for a child ages 6-12 years with AD.

Of the 1103 survey participants (68% adult patients; 32% caregivers), 56% were from the US, 25% from Europe, 13% from the Gulf region, and 6% from Japan. Over half (61%) found it easy or very easy to find information on AD; however, responses indicated an interest in improved content of available AD education. Almost half (46%) indicated it would be beneficial to have a list of questions to take to their doctor's appointment, 42% wanted more information about AD triggers, and 40% wanted a way to communicate the impact of AD to their doctor. For new medications, participants wished to understand safety, mechanism of action, duration of treatment, and the possibility of freedom from symptoms.

Patient and caregiver education in AD is essential for improving disease management and often-compromised quality of life. While access to disease information was reasonably high, there is a clear opportunity to improve and refine AD education content and provide actionable, patient-centered tools.