Original Article
Atopic dermatitis in the pediatric population: A cross-sectional, international epidemiologic study

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anai.2020.12.020Get rights and content
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Abstract

Background

Little is known on the current global prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) in the pediatric population.

Objective

To estimate the real-world global prevalence of AD in the pediatric population and by disease severity.

Methods

This international, cross-sectional, web-based survey of children and adolescents (6 months to <18 years old) was conducted in the following 18 countries: North America (Canada, United States), Latin America (Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, Mexico), Europe (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom), Middle East and Eurasia (Israel, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Russia), and East Asia (Japan, Taiwan). Prevalence was determined using the following 2 definitions: (1) diagnosed as having AD according to the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) criteria and self- or parent-report of ever being told by a physician that they or their child child had AD (eczema); and (2) reported AD based on the ISAAC criteria only. Severity was assessed using the Patient Global Assessment (PtGA) and Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM).

Results

Among 65,661 responders, the 12-month diagnosed AD prevalence (ISAAC plus self-reported diagnosis) ranged from 2.7% to 20.1% across countries; reported AD (ISAAC only) was 13.5% to 41.9%. Severe AD evaluated with both PtGA and POEM was generally less than 15%; more subjects rated AD as mild on PtGA than suggested by POEM. No trends in prevalence were observed based on age or sex; prevalence was generally lower in rural residential settings than urban or suburban.

Conclusion

This global survey in 18 countries revealed that AD affects a substantial proportion of the pediatric population. Although prevalence and severity varied across age groups and countries, less than 15% had severe AD.

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Disclosures: Dr Silverberg has acted as a consultant for and/or received grants/honoraria from AbbVie Inc, AnaptysBio, Inc, Asana Biosciences, LLC, Eli Lilly and Company, Galderma Research & Development, LLC, GlaxoSmithKline plc, Glenmark Generics, Inc, Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals, Ltd, LEO Pharma A/S, MedImmune, LLC, Menlo Therapeutics Inc, Pfizer Inc, PuriCore, Inc, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, and Sanofi. Dr Barbarot has received research grants from Pierre Fabre Laboratory and Fondation pour la dermatite atopique; personal fees from Bioderma Laboratories, Laboratoire La Roche Posay, Sanofi Genzyme, Novalac, and Ferring Pharmaceuticals; and nonfinancial support from AbbVie Inc, Novartis AG, and Janssen Pharmaceutica. Dr Simpson has received grants/research support from Amgen Inc, Celgene Corporation, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd, Galderma, Genentech, Inc, MedImmune, LLC, Sanofi/Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, Tioga Research, Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc, and Eli Lilly and Company and is a consultant for Anacor Pharmaceuticals Inc, Celgene Corporation, Galderma, Genentech, Inc, Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation, Sanofi/Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, and Merck. Dr Weidinger is a coprincipal investigator of the German Atopic Dermatitis Registry TREATgermany; has received institutional research grants from Novartis AG, Pfizer Inc, L‘Oréal and LEO Pharma A/S; has performed consultancies for Sanofi Genzyme, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, LEO Pharma A/S, Incyte Corp, and Novartis AG; has lectured at educational events sponsored by Sanofi Genzyme, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, LEO Pharma A/S, AbbVie Inc, and Galderma; and is involved in performing clinical trials with many pharmaceutical industries that manufacture drugs used for, for example, the treatment of psoriasis and atopic eczema. Dr Mina-Osorio was an employee of and stockholder in Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc at the time the study was conducted and is a current employee of Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc. Dr Gadkari was an employee of and stockholder in Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc at the time of the study and is a current employee of Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation. Dr Rossi and Dr Eckert are employees of and stockholders in Sanofi. Dr Fenton was an employee of Sanofi at the time of the study and is currently employed at Syneos Health. Dr Guillemin was an employee of Sanofi at the time of the study. Dr Saba, Mr Auziere, and Ms Brignoli are employees of Kantar Health Division, who received funding from Sanofi to conduct the study.

Funding: This study was funded by Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.