The real-world burden of atopic dermatitis: MEASURE-AD results from Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina.

Abstract

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) burden increases with disease severity.

Objective: Characterize the real-world burden of AD in Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina.

Methods: MEASURE-AD enrolled patients (≥12-years old) with moderate to severe AD receiving or candidates for systemic therapy between December 2019-December 2020. Patient characteristics, treatments, and outcomes were recorded during one office visit. Primary outcome measures included worst itch/past 24hours (Worst Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale [WP-NRS]), quality of life (QoL, Dermatology Life Quality Index [DLQI] and Children's DLQI [CDLQI]).

Results: Of 180 patients (adults, n=157; adolescents, n=23), 52.2% were male, the mean (SD) age was 33.8 (17.0) years, and all were receiving AD treatment (65.6% systemic therapy). Severe pruritus (WP-NRS ≥ 7) was reported by 54.4% (adults, 57.3%; adolescents, 34.8%). A very/extremely large effect on QoL (DLQI/CDLQI≥11) was reported among 50.0% of patients ≥ 16 years old and 42.9% of patients 12-15 years old. The mean Eczema Area Severity Index (EASI) was 17.0 (adults, 17.7; adolescents, 12.4); 3.9% of patients had clear skin (EASI 0) and 26.7% had severe AD (EASI 23-72). Over the previous 6 months, 0, 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, and > 6 flares were reported by 8.3%, 27.2%, 31.1%, 11.7%, and 15.6% of patients, respectively. On average, flares lasted 15.2 days (adults, 15.9 days; adolescents, 11.1 days).

Study limitations: Patient self-reported information and recall during one office visit.

Conclusions: Despite treatment, disease severity and impact on QoL were high, suggesting that AD is not adequately controlled in all patients, highlighting a considerable unmet need for effective treatments to reduce AD burden.