Prevalence and Clinical Features of Atopic Dermatitis in China

Abstract

<i>Background</i>. The epidemiology of atopic dermatitis (AD) in Chinese outpatients is yet to be clarified. <i>Objectives</i>. To investigate population-based prevalence and clinical features of AD in Chinese outpatients. <i>Methods</i>. A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted in outpatients with eczema or dermatitis from 39 tertiary hospitals in 15 provinces. <i>Results</i>. This study included 682 patients diagnosed with AD, with the mean age of 28.8 ± 20.1 years and the median course of 5.3 ± 6.9 years. AD patients had more severe itching (30.4% versus 13.8%, <i>p</i> < 0.001) and clinically suspected bacterial infection (21.7% versus 16.1%, <i>p</i> < 0.001) than those of other types of dermatitis. Older patients were more susceptible to have a history of flexion dermatitis (<i>p</i> < 0.001), bacterial infection (<i>p</i> = 0.005), and severe itching (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Outpatients with clinically suspected bacterial infection had 3.53-fold increased risk of AD than those without it (<i>p</i> < 0.001). The morbidity rate of AD in the (20-25°N) region is 2.86 times higher than that in the (40-45°N) region [OR (95% CI): 0.352 (0.241-0.514), <i>p</i> < 0.001]. <i>Conclusions</i>. AD is characterized by unique clinical/demographic features. Bacterial infection and latitude region may have an impact on the incidence of AD in China.