Survey Finds Almost Half of Europe has a Skin Issue

The results of a new European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) survey has found that 47.9% of the European population over 18 years old has declared at least 1 dermatological condition in the past 12 months.¹

The EADV shared the initial findings of its survey, which was the largest ever of its kind in Europe, at the 30th annual Congress. The data was collected from 44,689 adults from 27 European countries, including the European Union (EU) as well as the United Kingdom (UK), Norway, and Switzerland. 

Preliminary data show that of the 47.9% of people who self-reported at least 1 skin condition and on average those who did self-report declared a median of 2 skin diseases. Projecting these figures to the total NEUKS (Norway, EU, UK and Switzerland) population of 408 million inhabitants aged 18 years shows that more than 195 million adults in Europe self-reported at least 1 skin condition, according to the press release.

Of the skin conditions reported, the most common was a fungal skin infection (9.07%), with other common conditions being atopic dermatitis (AD) (5.34%), alopecia (5.22%), and acne (5.49). Additionally, skin symptoms and unpleasant skin sensations including tightness and itch as a specific consultation request were reported by 20% of people 18 years of age or older.

Before this study, not much was known about the prevalence of skin diseases in the general population of Europe and, according to the release, there is a lack of solid, objective, and homogeneous data at the European level on the quality-of-life impact of skin diseases, including stigmatization, or on the perception of and access to dermatologists.

The EADV said that it commissioned the survey called, “The Burden of Skin Disease in Europe,” to:

1. Evaluate the prevalence of dermatologic or venereological conditions across Europe
2. Understand the reasons for consulting a dermatologist; the impact of skin conditions on patients; the public perception of skin conditions; skin disease care pathways; prescribed treatment; and confidence in dermatologists

“As the leading European organization in dermato-venereology, the EADV is taking on an important role in determining the prevalence and impact of skin disease across Europe,” said Marie-Aleth Richard, MD, PhD, professor at the University Hospital of La Timone, Marseille, France and the EADV board member leading the survey. “The fact that 1 in 2 people across Europe live with skin disease on a daily basis makes the skin the most affected organ in the body and as an organisation we are therefore committed to making skin disease a public health priority.”

The Academy plans to fully analyze the data and submit the initial findings to the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (JEADV) for potential publication before rolling out further results from the survey over the next several months.

Reference:

1. Almost half of people in Europe have a skin problem or disease, survey reveals. Published October 1, 2021. Accessed October 4, 2021. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2021-10-people-europe-skin-problem-disease.html