Impact of atopic dermatitis on quality of life: a large web-based survey from Argentina

Abstract

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, recurrent, inflammatory skin condition that is associated with detrimental effects on the lives of patients and their families, including an impact on quality of life (QOL). Studies about QOL on Latin American AD patients are scarce and have generally included few patients. Objective: describing AD impact on the QOL in a large cohort in Argentina. Methods: a structured web-based survey including 1,650 AD pediatric and adult patients was performed. Results: according to retrieved data, AD symptoms onset started during childhood in most patients, but 20 % of participants reported that manifestations of AD were initially perceived during late adolescence and adulthood. Important differences were observed among country regions, with a shorter time-to-diagnosis in most populated and richer districts. Main affected domains included frustration, anger, mood alterations, stress, sleep alterations, routine alterations, pain and economic impact of AD. Limitations: biases inherent to survey design. Conclusions: we consider that our study contributes to a better understanding of AD in Argentina, as well as its physical, social and financial impact on affected patients.

Patients’ and Caregivers’ Experiences Navigating the Burden of Atopic Dermatitis in Argentina

“…Among adults in Argentina, the highest AD prevalence was reported in patients 35-44 years of age, and significantly more females than males were diagnosed with AD [3]. Only a few studies have examined the burden of AD among citizens of Argentina with respect to age, sex, type of physician managing their disease, quality of life, symptom burden using available treatment approaches, treatment satisfaction, and financial burden [3][4][5]. As patient disease-specific education and shared decision making between physicians and patients may improve treatment adherence, treatment satisfaction, and outcomes, the extent of disease-specific education and shared decision making in Argentina also needs to be studied [6].…”

“…Allergy and Dermatology societies from Latin America reported 8 dermatologists and 5.7 allergists to 100,000 inhabitants in Argentina [5,7]. While there has not been a report about the distribution of dermatologists across the country, the time to diagnosis of AD was lower in cities compared to outlying areas of the country by up to six years [4,7], perhaps indicating that people in cities had better access to specialists. Even with specialists, the struggle to find appropriate therapies to control treatments can be ongoing.…”

“…Even with specialists, the struggle to find appropriate therapies to control treatments can be ongoing. Previous surveys have reported that 40% of patients and their caregivers in Argentina are dissatisfied with their treatments [4,5].…”

“…A recent report described the impacts of AD on quality of life in Argentina using a web-based survey of 1650 AD pediatric and adult patients [4]. Respondents were largely from Buenos Aires City (17%) and the surrounding province (40%), 6% of respondents were from Cordoba, and 6% from Santa Fe, while 31% of respondents came from the rest of the country.…”

“…Respondents were largely from Buenos Aires City (17%) and the surrounding province (40%), 6% of respondents were from Cordoba, and 6% from Santa Fe, while 31% of respondents came from the rest of the country. The surveyed AD patients stated that mood alterations including frustration and anger, increased stress, reduced sleep, needing to change their daily routine and cancel plans, pain, and economic/financial impact were all factors that reduced their quality of life [4]. Sixty percent of patients reported being treated with topical corticosteroids, and the only other treatments reported were emollients or special soaps rather than any of the more advanced topical or systemic treatments that have emerged in North America, Europe, and Asia over the past decade [4].…”