Sex Differences in Patients With Chronic Hand Eczema (CHE): Disease Manifestations and Quality of Life (QoL) Results From a Cross-Sectional Multinational Study
Author(s)
Anthony Bewley, MD1, Sonja Molin, MD2, Marie-Noëlle Crépy, MD3, Ana-Maria Giménez-Arnau, MD4, Lysel Brignoli, MS5, Perrine Le Calvé, MSc5, Claire Bark, MS6, JENNY M. Norlin, PhD6, Maria Concetta Fargnoli, MD7, Christian Apfelbacher, Prof8.
1Barts Health NHS Trust & QMUL, London, United Kingdom, 2Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany, 3Department of Occupational and Environmental Diseases, University Hospital of Centre of Paris, Hotel-Dieu Hospital, Paris, France, 4Department of Dermatology, Hospital de Mar Research Institute, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain, 5Oracle Life Sciences, Paris, France, 6LEO pharma A/S, Ballerup, Denmark, 7San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, IRCCS, Rome, Italy, 8Institute of Social Medicine and Health Systems Research, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.
1Barts Health NHS Trust & QMUL, London, United Kingdom, 2Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany, 3Department of Occupational and Environmental Diseases, University Hospital of Centre of Paris, Hotel-Dieu Hospital, Paris, France, 4Department of Dermatology, Hospital de Mar Research Institute, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain, 5Oracle Life Sciences, Paris, France, 6LEO pharma A/S, Ballerup, Denmark, 7San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, IRCCS, Rome, Italy, 8Institute of Social Medicine and Health Systems Research, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.
OBJECTIVES: CHE is a heterogenous, fluctuating chronic inflammatory skin disease associated with symptoms posing a large burden on patients. CHE is more prevalent in females; however, sex-specific manifestations and burden are not well described. The objective is to investigate differences of CHE manifestations and impacts between male and female.
METHODS: The CHECK (Chronic Hand Eczema epidemiology, Care, and Knowledge of real-life burden) study recruited adults representative of the general population in Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK. 1,948 self-reported physician-diagnosed CHE and were included in analyses. CHE was defined as eczema located on the hand(s)/wrist(s) lasting ≤3 months or with ≤2 flares in the past 12 months.
RESULTS: 64.5% were females (n=1,256). No significant differences were observed in terms of age at first symptoms and diagnosis by sex. Females were more often diagnosed by general practitioners (48.1% vs. 41.4%; p<0.05), while males more often diagnosed by specialists. In the past 6 months, CHE was more likely located on finger(s) and palm(s) for females (75.0% and 41.4% vs. 67.1% and 31.5% respectively; p<0.05). The differences in other locations of the hands, including the back of the hand, knuckles, wrists, and fingertips, were not significant. Females described their flares more often as new lesions (38.8% vs 30.7%; p<0.05) and their CHE was more likely worsening in winter (43.5% vs. 37.5%; p<0.05). A higher proportion of females described their worst severity as severe (46.9% vs. 40.2%; p<0.05). Females were more impacted by CHE: HEIS proximal daily activity limitation score of 1.3 (1.1) (vs. 1.1 (1.0)) and EQ-5D-5L score of 0.694 (0.252) (vs. 0.742 (0.245)) (p<0.05). According to HADS, females were more anxious (9.6 (4.7) vs. 8.1 (4.7)) and had more suicidal thoughts (23.2% vs. 19.3%) (p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: CHE manifests differently by sex, including disease severity and localisation. The impact on QoL was greater among females.
METHODS: The CHECK (Chronic Hand Eczema epidemiology, Care, and Knowledge of real-life burden) study recruited adults representative of the general population in Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK. 1,948 self-reported physician-diagnosed CHE and were included in analyses. CHE was defined as eczema located on the hand(s)/wrist(s) lasting ≤3 months or with ≤2 flares in the past 12 months.
RESULTS: 64.5% were females (n=1,256). No significant differences were observed in terms of age at first symptoms and diagnosis by sex. Females were more often diagnosed by general practitioners (48.1% vs. 41.4%; p<0.05), while males more often diagnosed by specialists. In the past 6 months, CHE was more likely located on finger(s) and palm(s) for females (75.0% and 41.4% vs. 67.1% and 31.5% respectively; p<0.05). The differences in other locations of the hands, including the back of the hand, knuckles, wrists, and fingertips, were not significant. Females described their flares more often as new lesions (38.8% vs 30.7%; p<0.05) and their CHE was more likely worsening in winter (43.5% vs. 37.5%; p<0.05). A higher proportion of females described their worst severity as severe (46.9% vs. 40.2%; p<0.05). Females were more impacted by CHE: HEIS proximal daily activity limitation score of 1.3 (1.1) (vs. 1.1 (1.0)) and EQ-5D-5L score of 0.694 (0.252) (vs. 0.742 (0.245)) (p<0.05). According to HADS, females were more anxious (9.6 (4.7) vs. 8.1 (4.7)) and had more suicidal thoughts (23.2% vs. 19.3%) (p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: CHE manifests differently by sex, including disease severity and localisation. The impact on QoL was greater among females.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
PCR213
Topic
Patient-Centered Research
Topic Subcategory
Patient-reported Outcomes & Quality of Life Outcomes
Disease
No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas, Sensory System Disorders (Ear, Eye, Dental, Skin)