Atopic dermatitis (AD), also known as atopic eczema, is the most common and burdensome skin condition globally. Patients with AD suffer terrible itch and open sores due to chronic inflammation.
Research has shown how significantly AD can impact the lives of patients and caregivers, impairing sleep, attention, concentration, and daily functions as simple as wearing clothes, all of which profoundly influence health-related quality of life and productivity.
The burden of AD, which may affect up to 20% of Canadians, was explored in a 2018 survey by the CSPA and the resulting report illustrated the considerable effects of this condition on daily activities, as well as emotional and mental health. The survey findings also showed that patients felt that there was a gap in the availability of safe and effective treatment options.
Based on these results, recommendations were made to key healthcare stakeholders, calling for the provision of funding for new treatments and the creation of services and support to address the mental health needs of individuals with AD and their caregivers.
Since that time, several new medications have been approved for use in Canada, including two biologics and two oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, for the treatment of moderate to severe AD. Given the evolution in the treatment landscape, CSPA collaborated with Eczéma Québec on a new report, The Skin I'm In: A national report of the patient and caregiver experience with atopic dermatitis, 2022 Update. This report builds on the previous body of work to further understand the current experiences of individuals with AD and their caregivers.
The findings outlined in this report uncover important patient needs and opportunities for improvement in the treatment and management of eczema in Canada and can be used to inform research and policy directions.
