Atopic Dermatitis Insights on Global Prevalence, Health Care Implications, and the Impact of COVID-19

Jiyeon Oh, a researcher and MD candidate at Kyung Hee University College of Medicine in Seoul, South Korea, recently published a paper in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine examining asthma and atopic dermatitis (AD) using data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD).¹ In an interview with Dermatology Times, Oh provided insights on the findings related to AD's global burden, prevalence, and corresponding healthcare implications.

The 2021 GBD study offers the most up-to-date estimates on atopic dermatitis, tracking its prevalence, incidence, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) from 1990 to 2021. By 2021, approximately 129 million people worldwide were affected by AD. While the total number of cases has increased due to population growth, the age-standardized prevalence rate remained stable, suggesting that the actual rate of AD hasn't risen significantly over time.

Projections indicate that by 2050, there will be 148 million cases, with minimal change in the prevalence rate. One key observation by Oh and the investigators was the geographic variation, where high-income countries showed the highest prevalence and DALY rates. This is likely influenced by environmental factors, urbanization, and better diagnostic capabilities.

Despite the relatively stable prevalence, the increase in the number of AD cases means that healthcare systems will continue to face growing demand for treatments. Oh noted that AD's impact extends beyond skin symptoms, with patients often experiencing sleep disturbances, mental health issues, and long-term costs. She emphasized the need for healthcare systems to adopt sustainable, long-term management plans for AD, as it is a lifelong condition for many.

According to Oh, one surprising finding from the study was that atopic dermatitis prevalence was not significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, unlike asthma, which saw a decline in cases. Despite expectations that COVID-19 might increase AD prevalence due to heightened risk, no significant fluctuations were observed, suggesting that factors other than the pandemic may have a stronger influence on AD trends.

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Reference

1. GBD 2021 Asthma and Allergic Diseases Collaborators. Global, regional, and national burden of asthma and atopic dermatitis, 1990-2021, and projections to 2050: a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. Lancet Respir Med. Published online March 24, 2025. doi:10.1016/S2213-2600(25)00003-7