OBJECTIVES: To evaluate flare frequency, severity and duration among all Atopic Dermatitis (AD) patients and hand eczema patients with AD aetiology.

METHODS: Data were drawn from the 2015 Adelphi AD Disease Specific Programme, a cross-sectional survey of physicians and their adult AD patients in the United States, France, Germany and UK. Each physician completed a patient record form including affected body areas, flare status/severity/frequency, and each component of the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI). Patients voluntarily provided information regarding flare frequency/duration.

RESULTS: CONCLUSIONS: AD patients experience flares of all severities regardless of regions affected or EASI score. The potential impact on patients caused by flares may last for more than two weeks. The burden of disease seems to be higher for the patients than that reported by the physicians, as patients, in particular hand patients, report more frequent flares, on average almost double.