Improving the Quality of Atopic Dermatitis Epidemiologic Research in the United States: A Systematic Review of Disease Definitions and Related Content in National Surveys.

Abstract

Epidemiologic studies of atopic dermatitis (AD) are critical to improve our understanding of the disease burden and to identify numerous atopic and nonatopic comorbidities. Despite their widespread use, the definitions and related contents of AD in population-based surveys have not been comprehensively evaluated. To characterize the state of population-based health-related surveys in the United States that include AD or eczema, we conducted a systematic review of Ovid MEDLINE to study AD in the United States from database inception through March 26, 2025. Of the 916 articles screened, 24 were included in the analysis, which included 11 independent surveys. Most surveys rely on self-reporting of physician diagnosis of AD or the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood criteria, including a modified version of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood criteria, which has not been validated. National surveys yield the largest sample and are typically repeated annually; however, some national surveys have not included questions on AD in recent years. National surveys do not use standardized definitions to identify AD and do not adequately capture the key aspects of AD burden. Therefore, future population-based surveys should address these issues.