Korean J Dermatol.  2024 Jan;62(1):29-41.

Baseline Characteristics, Disease Severity, Laboratory Findings, and Treatment History of Patients with Severe Atopic Dermatitis: A Single-Center Cohort Study in Korea

• Lee DH
• Gwag HE
• Park SY
• Hong N
• Kook HD
• Jung HJ
• Park MY
• Ahn J

Abstract

Background
Since the disease burden of atopic dermatitis (AD) understandably increases with its disease severity, studies, especially on the baseline characteristics of severe AD, have been conducted in some countries to deepen the understanding of the disease and, by extension, formulate a relevant national policy. However, research on the baseline characteristics of severe AD in Korea remains insufficient.
Objective
To report the baseline demographics and describe the clinical characteristics of adult Korean patients with severe AD, including medical and treatment history, clinical manifestations, disease severity, and laboratory findings, in order to understand the characteristics of severe AD.
Methods
A single-center, prospective, non-interventional, observational, longitudinal study of 108 patients with severe AD was conducted between January 2021 and December 2022. Clinical data and patient-reported measures of signs and symptoms of AD were recorded at baseline.
Results
The mean Eczema Area and Severity Index score of the patients was 28.5±6.8. The mean pruritus numerical rating scale, Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure, Dermatology Life Quality Index, and Atopic Dermatitis Control Tool scores were 8.1±1.7, 23.6±4.8, 21.9±6.6, and 19.5±3.9, respectively. Although a larger proportion of the head/neck and trunk are affected than both limbs, the key signs of AD were less severe in the head/neck region than in the other regions. Erythema and lichenification were more representative clinical signs of severe AD than induration and excoriation. The baseline data on previous treatments reflected the AD treatment guidelines in Korea.
Conclusion
This real-world data will provide dermatologists with a better understanding of severe AD, which will eventually lead to better clinical and health policy decisions for patients with severe AD.

Keyword

Atopic dermatitis; Baseline characteristics; Disease severity; Severe atopic dermatitis; Treatment