Inequalities in the Impact of Dermatological Diseases Across the Globe: Impact Results From the GRIDD Study

OBJECTIVES: To compare the impact of dermatological diseases across socio-demographic groups (biologic sexes, age-groups, WHO regions of living, country income levels, ethnicities, and skin types), using the newly developed Patient-Reported Impact of Dermatological Diseases (PRIDD) measure.

METHODS: Global Research on the Impact of Dermatological Diseases (GRIDD) is a patient-initiated project that collected global data on the patients’ perspectives of disease burden in multiple skin conditions. An online survey was conducted between June 2023 and January 2024 in 17 different languages. Adults (≥18 years) with a self-reported dermatological condition were recruited through the International Alliance of Dermatology Patient Organizations’ network and social media. Participants completed the PRIDD questionnaire (16 items assessing physical, life responsibilities, psychological and social impact; total score from 0= no impact to 63= very severe impact) and a socio-demographic questionnaire. Data were analyzed descriptively and group comparisons were conducted with analysis of variance with post-hoc pairwise comparisons with Bonferroni correction.

RESULTS: After excluding 327 participants who did not meet the inclusion criteria, the sample was composed of 3811 patients (76.6% female, mean age 48.49±15.74, range 18-98), from 90 different countries and representing 114 dermatological conditions (12.6% Lichen sclerosus, 12.4% Psoriasis, 8.2% Hidradenitis suppurativa, 7.5% Vitiligo, 6.9% Eczema, 48.2% other diagnoses). Higher impact of dermatological diseases was reported by female patients, by participants younger than 65 years, by inhabitants of the Eastern Mediterranean and African regions, by residents in low income countries, by participants with Oceania, Black, Latino or mixed ethnic origins, and by participants with darker skin types (Fitzpatrick skin types V and VI) but also for those with very sensitive skin type I.

CONCLUSIONS: These results allowed for the identification of socio-demographic groups at greater risk of suffering high disease burden, paving the way for identifying patient needs, developing health policies, and determining resource-allocation and research priorities on a global scale.