OBJECTIVES : Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic dermatological disease characterized by recurrent eczematous lesions, dry skin and pruritus. The prevalence of AD in China has been increasing during the past decade.

METHODS : This study assessed the direct medical expenses of adult and adolescent patients with AD in China via a comprehensive questionnaire designed with support from three dermatologists in China.

RESULTS : Forty-seven questionnaires (29 for adults and 18 for adolescents aged 12 to 17) from different geographic regions to assess the direct medical costs of different AD severity were collected and analyzed. Cost data were converted to US dollars using the 2020 exchange rate (1 USD=6.8974 RMB). At last, the average annual direct medical expenses for adult patients were $826, $1,627 and $3,709 (mild, moderate, severe), respectively, while those for adolescents were $371, $1,001 and $1,800, respectively. For cost composition, moisturizers accounted for the largest proportion of all groups except adults with severe AD who spent the most on systemic therapies. For adult patients, moisturizers, topical drugs, systemic therapies and other treatments (including ultraviolet light therapy and traditional Chinese medicine) accounted for 61.05%, 33.79%, 1.76% and 3.40% of the total treatment expenses in patients with mild AD, 47.26%, 30.29%, 12.85% and 9.59% in patients with moderate AD, and 29.88%, 24.41%, 31.47% and 14.24% in patients with severe AD. For adolescents, the proportion of costs on above-mentioned components were 64.02%, 21.88%, 2.83% and 11.27% for mild, 44.87%, 19.85%, 7.97% and 27.31% for moderate, and 33.46%, 25.75%, 25.17% and 15.61% for severe, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS : In summary, the direct medical costs of both adult and adolescent patients with AD increase with the higher disease severity in China.