OBJECTIVES: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a prevalent skin disease; however, there is a notable absence of real-world evidence regarding treatment patterns and AD severity in Colombia. The National Registry of patients with Atopic Dermatitis in Colombia (RENDAC) is an effort to increase the knowledge about AD in our country. We aimed to describe the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics, along with the treatments formulated to patients with AD in Colombia.

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study including patients with AD that received a minimum of four months of treatment at dermatological private consultations or high-complexity hospitals. Data were obtained from medical records between July 2021 and December 2023. AD severity was assessed using the SCORAD index (mild (< 25), moderate (25-50), severe (≥ 50)). Descriptive statistics were reported. Correlations were explored using the Spearman test.

RESULTS: A total of 2,740 patients were included, 54.7% women, 90.3% residing in urban areas, and 67.3% attending hospitals. Median age was 16 years [IQR: 9-28], and 1,467 (53.5%) patients were under 18 years. AD severity was measured in 1,246 (45.5%) patients. Of these, 28.9% (95%CI: 26.4-31.5) had mild, 50.2% (95%CI: 47.5-53.0) moderate, and 20.9% (95%CI: 18.7-23.2) severe disease. Age and severity were correlated (rho=0.138; p=0.000). Most commonly used treatments included emollients (75.4%) and topical corticosteroids (65.3%). Among patients with severe AD (n=260), 44.6% received systemic treatment, 23 (8.8%) used dupilumab, and 2 (0.8%) baricitinib. Dermatological comorbidities were reported in 24% of patients, and 42.9% had a family history of atopic conditions.

CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that in Colombia AD is more common in women and the pediatric population. Most patients had moderate AD, with a positive correlation between severity and age. Treatment patterns vary according to severity. Remarkably, although 20.9% displayed severe disease, less than half underwent systemic treatment, a pattern that merits further exploration.