Given that the COVID-19 era has changed the behavior of all individuals, and since previous reports about its possible impact on atopic dermatitis (AD) patients remained speculative, in this survey we aimed to explore the real impact of COVID-19 among AD patients. All participants provided verbal consent prior to completing the survey. A 37-question web-based survey with no personal identifiers was sent to 212 previously identified AD patients. Itching, sleep disturbances, SARS-CoV-2, illness cost, economic dependence, monthly income, and monthly investment in AD before and during the pandemic, were all included in the analysis. A response rate of 73.1% was obtained. The mean age of participants was 30 years-old, and 57% were women. Around 75% reported AD worsening, and 59.4% of the patients reported sleep problems. Uncertainty, anxiety, and pessimism were frequent during the pandemic. Only 1.3% tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, and it was only significantly associated with comorbidities (p=0.03; Chi 2 Test). A significant difference was found in economic dependence and monthly income when compared between before and during the pandemic. This study provides probably the best possible assessment of the clinical, social, and economic effects of the pandemic on patients with an already proven diagnosis of AD.

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Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is considered as one of the most frequent chronic skin conditions. Previous AD epidemiologic studies have been mainly retrospective and/or have been performed through surveys instead of in-person visits. Epidemiological studies concerning AD in Latin American countries are scarce.Objective: To describe sociodemographic and clinical features and the economic burden of AD on children and adult patients in Colombia through in-person visits.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 212 patients that included sociodemographic and clinimetric data. The diagnostic criteria of Hanifin and Rajka was used and data relating to disease distribution, disease severity (through the BSA: Body surface area; EASI: Eczema Area and Severity Index; SCORAD: Scoring Atopic Dermatitis), Fitzpatrick's skin phototypes, personal and familiar history of allergic diseases, previous treatments, and personal history of comorbidities, was collected.Results: Patient age range was 12-76, and 52.8% were female. Disease distribution was mainly flexural (19.6%). Early age start, Denni-Morgan fold, and infections tendency were more frequent in adolescents compared to adults. Mean age of diagnosis was 12 years old, AD diagnosis was made mostly by a dermatologist, 48.1% (102 patients) reported alcohol consumption, and 59% of consumers were heavy drinkers. Comorbidities found were: chronic rhinitis (68.9%) food allergy (32.5%), allergic conjunctivitis (29.7%), and asthma (28.8%). Around 81% earned less than $896 US dollars and 59% invested 6-30% of their monthly budget yearly, and 40% had work or school absenteeism. Mean scores of BSA, EASI, and SCORAD involvement were 32.6, 13.7, and 42.4, respectively.

Introducción. La hiperhidrosis axilar primaria representa un motivo de consulta muy frecuente en la práctica dermatológica. Las alternativas de tratamiento no quirúrgico son de alto costo y, los resultados, de corta duración. Dados el impacto y la cronicidad de esta condición, los pacientes solicitan tratamientos no invasivos y duraderos para el manejo de la hiperhidrosis. Nos enfrentamos a mucha publicidad en cuanto a nuevas opciones terapéuticas, tales como láser, radiofrecuencia y microondas. Esta revisión pretende contribuir a responder la pregunta: ¿es posible ofrecer a los pacientes tratamientos como láser, radiofrecuencia y microondas para la hiperhidrosis axilar primaria?Metodología. Se hizo una revisión sistemática de la literatura científica utilizando las bases de datos Pubmed, Cochrane y Lilacs, teniendo como población diana a los pacientes mayores de 18 años con diagnóstico de hiperhidrosis axilar primaria. Resultados. Se encontraron 162 artículos y, a partir de ellos, se elaboró la siguiente revisión de tema. Conclusiones. La termoterapia (láser, microondas, radiofrecuencia pixelada) se ha utilizado en los últimos años con resultados muy variables y, aunque es claro su efecto en cuanto a la destrucción de las glándulas, aún no se dispone de suficiente información de la duración del efecto, la temporalidad de las sesiones, y la necesidad y frecuencia de mantenerlas. Se necesita hacer más estudios en nuestra población.