OBJECTIVES: To estimate the resource utilization and related costs per flare and per year for patients suffering from atopic dermatitis in Germany from patients’ and the third-party payers’ perspective. METHODS: Multi-center, cross-sectional cost-of-illness study. Information as demographic characteristics, consultations, hospitalizations, rehabilitations, out-of-pocket-expenditures as for OTC-medication, copayment, skin care products and absence from work was collected with a semi-standardized patient-questionnaire. Resource utilization of outpatient care was gained from patients’ records. Direct and indirect costs were considered. RESULTS: 16 centers – 10 office-based dermatologists, 4 office-based pediatricians, 1 outpatient unit of a dermatology hospital and 1 patient organization participated. Until now, 189 patients were enrolled at the medical centers. 153 patient questionnaires were sent back (including 53 from patients of the patient organisation). Mean age of patients is 24 years (1-71 years) and about 46% are male. About 27% of the patients have a mild course of disease, about 36% a moderate and about 37% a severe or very severe course of disease. Six out of 153 patients were hospitalized due to the current flare (4%). On average, patients' expenses for OTC-medication and skin care products are €164 per year, for additional treatment e.g. psychotherapy or naturopathy €62 per year and for e.g. special clothes or nutrition €349 per year. CONCLUSIONS: Because the study is still ongoing, annual cost data from the third party payers' perspective is under evaluation, and will be finalized not later than August 2002. But these preliminary results show that patients and their families bear are remarkable amount of the annual costs (about €575) by themselves.