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. 2021 Aug;14(8):100571.
doi: 10.1016/j.waojou.2021.100571. Epub 2021 Aug 24.

Atopic dermatitis in the COVID-19 era: Results from a web-based survey

Natalia Hernández  1 , Gloria Sanclemente  2 , Liliana Tamayo  3 , Ángela López  4 , Angela Seidel  5 ; Colombian Atopic Dermatitis Research Group Members
Collaborators, Affiliations

Atopic dermatitis in the COVID-19 era: Results from a web-based survey

Natalia Hernández et al. World Allergy Organ J. 2021 Aug.

Abstract

Given that the COVID-19 era has changed the behavior of all individuals, and since previous reports about its possible impact on atopic dermatitis (AD) patients remained speculative, in this survey we aimed to explore the real impact of COVID-19 among AD patients. All participants provided verbal consent prior to completing the survey. A 37-question web-based survey with no personal identifiers was sent to 212 previously identified AD patients. Itching, sleep disturbances, SARS-CoV-2, illness cost, economic dependence, monthly income, and monthly investment in AD before and during the pandemic, were all included in the analysis. A response rate of 73.1% was obtained. The mean age of participants was 30 years-old, and 57% were women. Around 75% reported AD worsening, and 59.4% of the patients reported sleep problems. Uncertainty, anxiety, and pessimism were frequent during the pandemic. Only 1.3% tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, and it was only significantly associated with comorbidities (p=0.03; Chi2 Test). A significant difference was found in economic dependence and monthly income when compared between before and during the pandemic. This study provides probably the best possible assessment of the clinical, social, and economic effects of the pandemic on patients with an already proven diagnosis of AD.

Keywords: Atopic dermatitis; COVID-19; Survey.

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Conflict of interest statement

Patients from this study are participating in a project sponsored by the Asociación Colombiana de Dermatología y Cirugía Dermatológica (Asocolderma) through a 10.13039/100004339Sanofi Laboratories grant. However, this pharmaceutical laboratory has not participated in any workshop related to the study and has not being involved in the analysis or design and development of the study.

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