Atopic dermatitis in the COVID-19 era: Results from a web-based survey

• Main Authors: Natalia Hernández, Gloria Sanclemente, Liliana Tamayo, Ángela López, Angela Seidel, Natalia Hernandez, Daniela Chaparro, Andrés Cortes, Ángela Seidel, Clara Inés Ortiz, Claudia Arenas, Esperanza Meléndez, Julio Amador, Lina Colmenares, María Claudia Guzmán, María Claudia Torres, Mariela Tavera, Mauricio Torres, Miriam Vargas, Mónica Novoa, Mónica Rivera, Natalia Vélez, Oscar Mora, Oscar Medina, Paola Cárdenas
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2021-08-01
• Series: World Allergy Organization Journal
• Subjects: Atopic dermatitis; COVID-19; Survey
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S193945512100065X

Given that the COVID-19 era has changed the behavior of all individuals, and since previous reports about its possible impact on atopic dermatitis (AD) patients remained speculative, in this survey we aimed to explore the real impact of COVID-19 among AD patients.All participants provided verbal consent prior to completing the survey. A 37-question web-based survey with no personal identifiers was sent to 212 previously identified AD patients. Itching, sleep disturbances, SARS-CoV-2, illness cost, economic dependence, monthly income, and monthly investment in AD before and during the pandemic, were all included in the analysis.A response rate of 73.1% was obtained. The mean age of participants was 30 years-old, and 57% were women. Around 75% reported AD worsening, and 59.4% of the patients reported sleep problems. Uncertainty, anxiety, and pessimism were frequent during the pandemic. Only 1.3% tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, and it was only significantly associated with comorbidities (p=0.03; Chi2 Test). A significant difference was found in economic dependence and monthly income when compared between before and during the pandemic.This study provides probably the best possible assessment of the clinical, social, and economic effects of the pandemic on patients with an already proven diagnosis of AD.