Atopic dermatitis in teenagers and adults: Clinical features of a tertiary referral hospital

Abstract

Objectives: This study based on an epidemiological registry aimed to characterize the clinical, epidemiological presentation and impact of atopic dermatitis on the quality of life (QoL) of teenagers and adult patients treated at the outpatient clinic of Atopic Tertiary Referral Hospital in Brazil. Material and Methods: Ambidirectional study, with prospective and retrospective data collection of patients, aged ≥13 years, diagnosed with AD. Sociodemographic, clinical information, and immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels were obtained using a specific protocol, as well as assessment of QoL using the psychosomatic scale for atopic dermatitis (AD) (PSS-AD) questionnaire. Results: Seventy patients were enrolled, 43 (61.4%) were female and 54 (77.1%) were ≥18 year. The mean age of AD patients was 29.2 years (standard deviation ± 15.5). Most AD symptom associates were itching (100%) followed by insomnia (74.3%). Emotional distress was the most frequently self-reported AD triggering factor (90%). With this study, we have demonstrated that AD type 2 inflammation (97.1%) was most common, which is characterized by high IgE levels. Moreover, 44.3% and 45.7% of patients evaluated by the scoring atopic dermatitis index score, had severe and moderate disease respectively. The PSS-AD questionnaire showed negative mental health impact in AD patients. Conclusion: Adults and teenagers (≥ 13 years) with persistent AD need global management, including psychological and mental health support.