Prevalence and Medications of Atopic Dermatitis in Germany: Claims Data Analysis.

BACKGROUND

Information on the prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) varies greatly, and so far, only a few studies describe the healthcare of patients with AD in Germany.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study is to describe the prevalence and medications of people with AD in Germany.

METHODS

Health insurance data for the year 2019 were examined. Prevalence rates, the severity of disease, comorbidities and pharmaceutical supply were analyzed. Insured persons with AD were identified with at least one outpatient or inpatient International Classification Code of Diseases (L20).

RESULTS

In 2019, 4.21% [95% CI 4.21-4.22%] of insured persons had AD (3.6 million). Women were affected slightly more frequently than men (4.74% [95% CI 4.73-4.74%] and 3.64% [95% CI 3.64-3.65%]). Adolescents and children under the age of 15 had the highest prevalence of AD compared to other age groups (9.44% [95% CI 9.42-9.46%]). Majority of the insured persons with AD were affected by a mild to moderate form of the disease. The most common co-morbidity was infections of the skin (RR 5.00 [95% CI 4.97-5.02%]). Some patients were treated by a dermatologist, while others by a general practitioner, 39.10% and 36.74%, respectively. Of the anti-inflammatory drugs, systemic glucocorticosteroids preparations were used most frequently and were most frequently prescribed by the general practitioner. With a total of 42,841 prescriptions (1.53%), methotrexate (third-line treatment option) was prescribed more frequently than ciclosporin with 19,628 prescriptions (0.70%) or azathioprine with 25,696 prescriptions (0.92%). Ciclosporin (first-line treatment option) was prescribed much more frequently by a dermatologist (44.00% versus 14.32% by general practitioner). The biological dupilumab was prescribed 30,801 times (1,10%) and was also primarily prescribed by a dermatologist (66.67%).

CONCLUSION

The present results reveal that a specialist treats approximately one-third of the patients with AD and that there is still a drug undersupply in some cases, especially concerning innovative drugs.

Informations de copyright

© 2021 Hagenström et al.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

Dr Kristina Hagenström report grants from Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), during the conduct of the study; Dr Nicole Mohr report grants from Techniker Krankenkasse, Hamburg, during the conduct of the study; Dr Jana Petersen report grants from Techniker Krankenkasse, during the conduct of the study; Ms Claudia Garbe report grants from Techniker Krankenkasse, during the conduct of the study; Prof Matthias Augustin has served as consultant and/or paid speaker for and/or has received research grants and/or honoraries for consulting and/or scientific lectures and/or participated in clinical trials sponsored by companies that manufacture drugs used for the treatment of atopic dermatitis including AbbVie, Almirall, Beiersdorf, Galderma, LEO and Sanofi. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.