26 Mar Poorly Controlled Atopic Dermatitis Causes Significant Inpatient Financial Burden
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Jonathan Silverberg
Dr. Jonathan L. Silverberg MD PhD MPH
Assistant Professor in Dermatology
Medical Social Sciences and Preventive Medicine
Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with considerable morbidity and quality of life impairment. AD patients may require hospitalization for acute treatment of serious flares and/or inadequately controlled chronic disease.
We examined data from the 2002-2012 National Inpatient Sample, which contains a representative 20% sample of all hospitalizations in the United States. We found that there were substantial numbers of children and adults hospitalized in the United States for AD. Hospitalization rates for atopic dermatitis were highest in the northeast during the winter likely due to cold and dry weather and south during the summer likely due to heat and humidity. Further, hospitalization rates for AD significantly increased in adults between 2002 and 2012. The costs per individual hospitalization were lower in children and adults with AD compared to those without atopic dermatitis. However, the high prevalence of hospitalization resulted in total inpatient costs of >$8 and >$3 million per-year for adults and children, respectively.
MedicalResearch.com: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?
Response: There is a considerable inpatient burden of atopic dermatitis in the US, with higher prevalence and total costs than other chronic inflammatory skin disorders. Many of these admissions may be preventable by improved access to outpatient dermatologic care and long-term control of AD in the outpatient setting.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Response: Future research is needed to develop clinical and policy interventions to help reduce hospitalization in atopic dermatitis.
MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.
Citation:
Inpatient financial burden of atopic dermatitis in the United States.
Narla S1, Hsu DY1, Thyssen JP2, Silverberg JI3.
Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.
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Last Updated on March 26, 2017 by Marie Benz MD FAAD