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

Abstract Background Increasing evidence points to 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 the comorbidity burden in patients 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 AD to general population controls. Results A total of 86,969 pediatric patients with AD and 116,564 matched controls were identified. Increased anxiety (OR 1.20) and ADHD (OR 1.11) were noted in AD. In addition to dermatologic/allergic diseases, AD was also associated with infections including MRSA (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 above, p Limitations Retrospective analysis of healthcare claims data. Conclusion AD in pediatric patients is associated with a wide range of psychological and systemic comorbidities. Increased awareness can help minimize negative effects on quality of life and prevent long-term health consequences in young patients with AD.