Cross-sectional burden-of-illness study in atopic dermatitis (MEASURE-AD) in Australia and New Zealand reveals impacts on well-being

Objectives

To describe disease burden in individuals with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) and compare it with other geographic regions.

Methods

This multicentre, cross-sectional, observational study (MEASURE-AD) recruited consecutive adolescent and adult patients attending dermatology clinics in 28 countries. Data collected included scores of pruritus, disease severity, sleep, pain, disease control, work and quality of life.

Results

This study included 112 ANZ participants (Australia n = 72; New Zealand n = 40) from December 2019 to December 2020. Treatments included topicals (85.7% of patients), non-biologic systemic therapy (28.6%), phototherapy (9.8%) and dupilumab (4.5%). Mean Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) score was 22.3 (95% CI 19.6–25.0) and Patient-Oriented Eczema Measurement (POEM) score was 18.4 (95% CI 16.8–20.0). Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) was 6.0 (95% CI 5.5–6.6) (50% had severe pruritus) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) 14.3 (95% CI 12.8–15.8). ADerm-Impact sleep domain score was 15.1 (95% CI 13.2–16.9). ADerm-Symptom Scale worst skin pain domain score was 5.0 (95% CI 4.3–5.6). Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) percentages indicated work and productivity impairment. Inadequately controlled AD was self-reported by 41%, with 9.7 flares in the past 6 months. Scores of pruritus, disease severity, sleep, pain, disease control and quality of life in ANZ were often the highest of all the geographic regions studied.

Conclusion

ANZ patients with AD have a high disease burden, which extends across multiple facets of daily life. Many are inadequately controlled with existing therapies.