Therapeutic benefits in atopic dermatitis care from the patients' perspective: results of the German national health care study 'Atopic Health'

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Numerous therapies are recommended to treat atopic dermatitis. The German national health care study 'Atopic Health' generated nationwide data on the care situation from the patients' perspective.

METHODS: Data for 1,678 adult patients were collected within a retrospective cohort study throughout the year 2010. Six scores to capture satisfaction with care, quality of life (Dermatology Life Quality Index, EQ-5D-VAS), therapeutic success and benefits (Patient Benefit Index) were analyzed using descriptive methods and analysis of variance.

RESULTS: 82.1% of patients were highly satisfied with their treatment. Topical corticosteroids and climate therapies were associated with the best success ratings. Quality of life was moderately impaired (mean Dermatology Life Quality Index 8.5 ± 6.5). 88.4% of the patients indicated a relevant therapeutic benefit (Patient Benefit Index ≥ 1) with significantly better scores for topical immunomodulating therapies and climate therapies.

CONCLUSION: The most frequently applied therapies presented pleasant success and benefit ratings, even if quality of life could be improved for more than one third of patients.