Prevalence of type 2 inflammatory diseases in pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis: Real-world evidence.

BACKGROUND

Patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) are considered at increased risk of developing other type 2 inflammatory diseases. However, real-world evidence based on large commercially insured pediatric populations in the United States is scarce.

OBJECTIVE

To use a large claims database (IBM MarketScan 2013-2017) in the United States to assess prevalence and incidence of type 2 inflammatory diseases in pediatric patients with AD.

METHODS

Pediatric patients with AD were matched 1:1 to patients without AD. Prevalence was assessed for conjunctivitis, rhinitis, urticaria, asthma, eosinophilic esophagitis, and chronic rhinosinusitis/nasal polyps at the 12 months' post-index date (the first AD diagnosis date for patients with AD; a randomly selected outpatient visit for control patients). The incidence of other type 2 inflammatory diseases post-index was assessed among patients 0-2 years of age.

RESULTS

A total of 244,776 AD and matched non-AD patients were selected. The prevalence and incidence of type 2 inflammatory diseases were higher among patients with AD. Overall, the prevalence more than doubled for asthma, eosinophilic esophagitis, urticaria, and rhinitis, and increased with AD severity.

LIMITATIONS: AD identification was based on billing diagnoses; the observation period was only 12 months; and the study was limited to commercially insured patients.

CONCLUSION

The burden of type 2 inflammatory diseases in pediatric patients with AD is substantial, highlighting the need to optimize management of AD and its numerous associated morbidities.