The Prevalence of Adult Atopic Eczema in New Zealand

The prevalence of adolescent and adult atopic eczema (AE) in New Zealand is not known. This study estimates the prevalence and epidemiology in Auckland, New Zealand, from 2017 to 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Every primary health care organisation in Auckland provided diagnostic codes for AE for those aged greater than 15 years. Codes were matched with dispensing records for topical eczema treatments. Active disease was defined as having at least two dispensing events for AE-related treatment within any 12-month period. Data were matched to the National Health Index, which is a unique health identifier assigned to each person receiving health care in New Zealand. Population estimates were derived by linear interpolation from census data for 2013, 2018, and 2023.

From 2017 to 2019, the average annual prevalence of AE per 100,000 (95% CI) was 1991 (1968-2015) for all ethnicities, 4625 (4565-4685) for Pacific peoples, 3501 (3440-3561) for Māori and 1296 (1280-1311) for Europeans. Compared to the European population, prevalence rates were higher in Pacific, Māori, and Asian populations (p < 0.001). The most deprived individuals had a higher prevalence per 100,000 population (95% CI) of 3466 (3424-3509) compared with 1737 (1706-1767) in the least deprived, p < 0.001, and the prevalence was highest in the youngest age group, 15-29 years (2766/100,000).

There is a higher prevalence of adult AE in Māori, Pacific, and Asian populations compared to the European population, particularly in poorer communities and younger age groups.