Researchers of a recent qualitative review analyzed 20 years of literature on the socioeconomic impact of atopic dermatitis (AD) and alopecia areata (AA), focusing on large cohort studies worldwide. The findings show that both diseases significantly impair quality of life, with high rates of depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances among patients. Out-of-pocket expenses for treatments—ranging from over-the-counter products to alternative therapies—can be substantial, often requiring families to cut back on other household costs. Work absenteeism and presenteeism are also prominent, with disease severity strongly linked to lost productivity and income. Healthcare costs for both AD and AA are consistently higher than for healthy controls, driven by increased outpatient visits, pharmacy use, and the management of comorbidities.
The socioeconomic impact of AD and AA extends beyond individual patients to caregivers, healthcare systems, and society at large. Stakeholders experience these burdens differently, but the cumulative effect is significant, given the high prevalence and chronic nature of these diseases. Data gaps remain in several regions, and challenges in standardizing cost and impact metrics complicate cross-country comparisons. To address these burdens, the review recommends a multi-stakeholder approach, including educating patients, providing physician training, implementing integrated care pathways, and expanding access to therapies. It also calls for the development of standardized, comprehensive data collection to inform healthcare policy and improve patient outcomes globally.
Reference: Stevanovic K, Pereira M, Nguyen O, et al. 20 years of the socioeconomic impact of atopic dermatitis and alopecia areata from around the globe. Clin Transl Allergy. 2025 May;15(5):e70061. doi: 10.1002/clt2.70061. PMID: 40396975; PMCID: PMC12094032.
