Real-world comorbidities of atopic dermatitis in the pediatric ambulatory population in the United States

Background Increasing evidence has suggested the systemic nature of atopic dermatitis (AD), a common inflammatory skin condition in children. However, comprehensive analyses of real-world comorbidities in pediatric AD are limited. Objective To characterize comorbidity burden in patients with AD aged Methods The MarketScan commercial claims database was queried from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2017. Age- and sex-matched analyses were used to compare patients with AD with general population controls. Results A total of 86,969 pediatric patients with AD and 116,564 matched controls were identified. Increased anxiety (odds ratio [OR], 1.20) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (OR, 1.11) were noted in patients with AD. In addition to dermatologic/allergic diseases, AD was also associated with infections, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (OR, 3.76), and autoimmune conditions, including vitiligo (OR, 2.98) and alopecia areata (OR, 4.32). Pediatric patients with AD had higher likelihoods of lymphoid/hematologic malignancies (OR, 1.94), ocular disorders (OR, 1.37-2.02), metabolic syndrome (OR, 1.61), and obesity (OR, 1.81). For all the ORs mentioned above, P was Limitations Retrospective analysis of health care claims data. Conclusions AD in pediatric patients was associated with a wide range of psychologic and systemic comorbidities. Increased awareness can help minimize its negative effects on the quality of life and prevent long-term health consequences in young patients with AD.