Pruritus and Pain Constitute the Main Negative Impact of Atopic Dermatitis From the Patient’s Perspective: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Abstract: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory skin disease characterized by intense itching and highly visible signs, representing a great burden to the patient. Despite its straightforward diagnosis, AD severity and burden can be underestimated in routine clinical practice. This review aims to determine the impact of AD on patients’ lives, establish which domains of life are most affected, and identify symptom drivers of AD burden. A systematic literature review was conducted in Pubmed/Medline, Web of Science, and Scopus following Cochrane and PRISMA recommendations. Observational studies published in English or Spanish between January 1, 2018, and August 31, 2022, evaluating the impact of AD and its symptoms from the patient’s perspective, were included. Reviewed studies were assessed for quality following the STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology Checklist. A total of 28 observational studies evaluating the impact of AD and its symptoms from the patient’s perspective were included in the review. All domains of the AD patient’s life were found to be greatly affected, including health-related quality of life (HRQoL), emotional health, sleep disorders, work impairment, health care resource utilization, cognitive function, and development of comorbidities. The more severe the disease, the greater the impact, worsening in patients with moderate and severe AD. Pruritus and pain are reported to be the disease symptoms with the greatest impact. In conclusion, AD impacts several domains of patients’ lives, especially HRQoL and mental health. Pruritus and pain are identified as the main drivers of AD impact, suggesting that optimal symptom control may reduce the burden and improve disease management.