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

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.