OBJECTIVES: Currently, few research works have been dedicated to the study of the burden of atopic dermatitis (AD) in adult patients and specifically to the estimation of the out-of-pocket cost. Skin disorders have no systematic treatment, patients primarily use comfort care to ease the pain and these are not subject to any reimbursement from mandatory or complementary insurances

METHODS: The ECLA study is a non-interventional retrospective study which evaluates the resonance of AD in terms of quality of life and economic consequences for patients. An auto questionnaire has been distributed to adult patient members of the French Eczema Association who were cared in four French hospitals. Patients were asked to enumerate the medical and non-medical resources consumed for the treatment of AD during the last 12 months and estimate the corresponding amount remaining at their expense. The severity of AD has been subjected to a stratification based on the PO-SCORAD score.

RESULTS: CONCLUSIONS: The out-of-pocket cost amount for patients under essential medical and non-medical expenses for the treatment of AD is relatively high. Integrate these essential resources to the reimbursed products and services basket appears as necessary for a batter care of AD.