OBJECTIVES: Several data on incidence and prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) at the paediatric age in Italy were published over the last decades. However, the epidemiology of AD is largely different in pre-school and schoolchildren. We aimed to review and summarize the available data on Italian schoolchildren (aged 6-11 years) and adolescents (aged 12-17 years), also focusing on severe forms of AD. The real-world prevalence of use of systemic treatments for severe AD in adolescents was also considered.

METHODS: In January 2019, we systematically reviewed the scientific literature on the issue following the MOOSE and PRISMA statements. Papers were evaluated and selected by two independent reviewers. Relevant information included in the publications selected were extracted. A total of 20 studies reporting original information were identified.

RESULTS: A twelve-month period was most commonly used to determine the prevalence of AD. The period prevalence of AD is about 10% in children aged 6-11 years and 8% in adolescents aged 12-17 years. Lifetime prevalence of AD is 15%-17% in children 6-11 years and 8%-9% in adolescents 12-17 years. Incidence rates of AD were about 7/1000 person-year in children aged 5-9 years and 3/1000 person-year in those aged 10-13 years. Time trends showed an increasing prevalence of AD, while the incidence was stable during 2006-2012. Up-to-date information on the prevalence of severe AD is not available. Furthermore the treatment paradigm is still far from being satisfactory with a high unmet need in more severe AD patients.

CONCLUSIONS: We provided a quantitative synthesis of AD epidemiology in Italian schoolchildren and adolescents. Recent data are however needed, as most information dates back to the 1990’s or early 2000’s, and data on the incidence of AD, the proportion of severe cases, and treatment of severe cases in the real-world are scanty.