Association of pediatric atopic dermatitis and psoriasis with school absenteeism and parental work absenteeism: A cross-sectional United States population-based study

The impact of childhood atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriasis on school absenteeism is not fully elucidated. To determine the burden and predictors of chronic school absenteeism in children with AD and psoriasis. Data were analyzed from the 1999-2015 Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys, cross-sectional, population-based studies of health status and function in the United States. Among 3132 and 200 children with AD and psoriasis, respectively, 1544 (67.7%) and 97 (62.5%) missed ≥1 day, and 120 (3.9%) and 5 (3.6%) missed ≥15 days (chronically absent) per year due to illness. AD was associated with chronic absenteeism overall (logistic regression; adjusted odds ratio 1.42, 95% CI [1.13-1.78]) and with more severe disease (mild-moderate: 1.33 [1.04-1.70], severe: 2.00 [1.21-3.32]). No statistical difference in chronic absenteeism was found for children with versus those without psoriasis (1.26 [0.51-3.12]). Parents of children with AD were more likely to miss work for caregiving versus those of children without AD, whereas parents of children with psoriasis had similar rates of work absenteeism versus those of children without psoriasis. The severity of AD and psoriasis was assessed by treatment pattern. Children in the United States with AD had increased chronic school absenteeism. Further interventions are warranted to prevent school absenteeism in childhood AD.