Severity of eczema linked to ability to carry out daily work

Summary Atopic dermatitis (also known as AD or eczema) is a common skin disease which is seen in all countries. It is most common in childhood, and we do not know exactly how common it is in adults. This study reports on a postal survey of adults with AD in France, Germany, the UK, and the USA. The investigators were from the pharmaceutical companies, Leo and Astra Zeneca. Participants completed two surveys, one of which concerned the severity of their skin condition, and the other which recorded any impairment in their ability to carry out work (their employment). Both used questionnaires that had been successfully tested and correctly used previously. 1098 respondents were found to have moderate to severe forms of eczema. The study found that if they had reduced work capacity (i.e. were less able to work) this was directly related to the severity of the AD. For instance, for overall work impairment due to AD, respondents with mild AD reported a mean of 2.4 hours per week of potential work productivity lost, respondents with moderate AD 9.6 hours and respondents with severe AD 19.0 hours. The overall impairment in the capacity of those affected to carry out their daily activities was different in different countries; for instance, in those participants with moderate AD the reduction was 26.7% for all participants, 34.0% for those living in Europe, and 15.2% for those in the USA. The difference was thought to be due to differences in access to social and economic support in different countries. The investigation confirms that moderate or severe atopic dermatitis can have a significant and detrimental effect on the ability of adults with the disease to carry out their normal employment. This is a summary of the study: 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.