Increasing severity of atopic dermatitis is associated with a negative impact on work productivity among adults with atopic dermatitis in France, Germany, the U.K. and the U.S.A.

Abstract

Summary Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with high disease burden, with a significant physical and social impact. However, the association between disease severity and burden of disease, with work productivity and daily activities being one aspect, has not been well characterized. Objectives To investigate the impact of disease severity on work productivity and daily activities among adults with AD in Europe (France, Germany and the U.K.) and the U.S.A. Methods The survey panel participants for this cross‐sectional internet‐based survey on AD were sourced from the population‐based National Health and Wellness Survey (Europe 2016, U.S.A. 2015 and 2016). AD severity was determined by Patient‐Oriented Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (PO‐SCORAD). Work productivity and work activity impairment were assessed using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) – Specific Health Problem questionnaire for AD. Results The study survey was completed by 1098 respondents with moderate‐to‐severe AD and 134 with mild AD. Overall, the negative impact on work productivity (all WPAI items) was suggested to increase with increasing AD severity (PO‐SCORAD) at the regional level (Europe and U.S.A.) and in the total sample. For overall work impairment due to AD, respondents with mild AD reported a mean of 2·4 h per week of potential work productivity lost, respondents with moderate AD 9·6 h and respondents with severe AD 19·0 h. Conclusions Higher AD severity was associated with a greater negative impact on work productivity in adults. This impact is a burden not only for the patient but also for society and may provide incentives for treatment optimization and more effective management of AD. What's already known about this topic? Atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with a high disease burden. AD has a negative impact on several aspects of health‐related quality of life, one of which is work productivity. What does this study add? By using a population of participants with AD recruited from the National Health and Wellness Survey, which collects broad and representative data from the general population, survey data could be obtained from U.S. and European populations of patients with AD. The present study suggests an increasingly negative impact on work productivity with increasing severity of AD. The data indicate no regional differences in the impact of AD severity on work productivity.

Inadequate Disease Control, Treatment Dissatisfaction, and Quality-of-Life Impairments Among US Patients Receiving Topical Therapy for Atopic Dermatitis

“…Furthermore, in a study of children aged 5-15 years with chronic skin diseases, those with AD showed greater QoL impairment from both the patient and caregiver's perspective compared with several other diseases, including acne, alopecia, and urticaria [11]. Additionally, in patient surveys conducted in the USA and Europe, adults with AD attributed a substantial impairment in work productivity to their AD [9,28], with worse impairment associated with higher DLQI scores [28]. The present study similarly showed deficits across work productivity and QoL domains in patients receiving standard-of-care topical therapy, alone or in combination with systemic therapy, with the most pronounced impairments observed among those with uncontrolled disease.…”

“…AD is characterized by a variety of burdensome symptoms, which commonly include itch, excessive dryness or scaling of the skin, and red or inflamed skin [7]. Patients with AD of any severity often report sleep disturbances, impaired work productivity, and diminished quality of life (QoL) [2,[7][8][9][10][11].…”

Targeting immunoglobulin E in atopic dermatitis: A review of the existing evidence

“… 3 Recent data show a 2.2–8.1% prevalence across Europe and the United States. 4 , 5 Similarly, data from Asia show an increasing prevalence in countries such as India and China. 3 …”

Improvement in sleep and itch and enhanced quality of life in adult patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: results from a phase 3 trial of baricitinib therapy

“…As two of the most bothersome symptoms of AD, itch and its resultant sleep disturbance can significantly worsen quality of life (QoL), limit patients' lifestyle, and lead to psychological distress (5)(6)(7). Further, these symptoms can adversely affect patients' daily functioning and productivity at work, as frequent itching causes distractions and poor sleep quality results in daytime fatigue and poor concentration (8). Addressing these burdensome symptoms is thus a primary goal of AD treatment (9).…”