The APOLO Study: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Disease Characteristics and Patient Burden in Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis in Portugal
Abstract Introduction Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with a substantial impact on patients’ quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to characterize the burden of moderate-to-severe AD in the Portuguese population, focusing on patients’ QoL and socioeconomic activities...
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Adis, Springer Healthcare
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Dermatology and Therapy |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s13555-025-01347-9 |
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| author | Bruno Duarte Pedro Mendes-Bastos Joana Antunes Filomena Azevedo Margarida Gonçalo Martinha Henrique Vanda Marques Isabel Freitas Tiago Torres |
| author_facet | Bruno Duarte Pedro Mendes-Bastos Joana Antunes Filomena Azevedo Margarida Gonçalo Martinha Henrique Vanda Marques Isabel Freitas Tiago Torres |
| author_sort | Bruno Duarte |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Introduction Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with a substantial impact on patients’ quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to characterize the burden of moderate-to-severe AD in the Portuguese population, focusing on patients’ QoL and socioeconomic activities while describing their treatment patterns and healthcare resource use. Methods This multicenter, cross-sectional, and non-interventional study in eight Portuguese referral AD centers recruited patients over 12 years old, seeking first-time AD care. Patients over 16 years old were analyzed, and data on demographics, clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, healthcare resource utilization, and burden of disease via patient-reported outcomes (PROs) were collected. Results With a predominantly White cohort, a mean age of 30.0 years, and balanced gender distribution, the study highlighted the significant impact of moderate-to-severe AD on patients’ QoL, with a mean Dermatology Life Quality Index score of 15.19. High levels of itch, lesional skin severity, sleep disturbance, and pain contributed to the substantial burden of disease. Productivity was impaired in 40.0% of patients and daily activities were disrupted in 50.0%. Average body surface area involvement was 45.82%, with a mean of 6.49 AD flares in the previous year. Dermatologists played a pivotal role in the patient journey, contributing significantly to the diagnosis (55.9%) and referral process (70.9%). Treatment patterns highlighted a historical reliance on topical therapies and an evolving landscape with post-visit inclusion of advanced therapies such as dupilumab (38.5%), conventional immunosuppressants like cyclosporine (31.2%), and baricitinib (6.8%). Conclusion This study unveils the intricate landscape of moderate-to-severe AD in Portugal, highlighting a substantial unmet need for optimal disease management. The role of dermatologists is crucial, yet limited adoption of advanced therapies in the face of significant disease burden prompts critical reflection. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2bb90d67850742c8a49eee73a9f29f06 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2193-8210 2190-9172 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Adis, Springer Healthcare |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Dermatology and Therapy |
| spelling | doaj-art-2bb90d67850742c8a49eee73a9f29f062025-08-20T02:56:16ZengAdis, Springer HealthcareDermatology and Therapy2193-82102190-91722025-02-0115364766210.1007/s13555-025-01347-9The APOLO Study: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Disease Characteristics and Patient Burden in Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis in PortugalBruno Duarte0Pedro Mendes-Bastos1Joana Antunes2Filomena Azevedo3Margarida Gonçalo4Martinha Henrique5Vanda Marques6Isabel Freitas7Tiago Torres8Dermatology Department, Unidade Local de Saúde São JoséDermatology Centre, Hospital CUF DescobertasDermatology Department, Unidade Local de Saúde de Santa MariaDermatology Department, Unidade Local de Saúde de São JoãoDermatology Clinic, University Hospital, Unidade Local de Saúde de CoimbraDermatology Department, Unidade Local de Saúde de LeiriaLaboratórios PfizerLaboratórios PfizerDepartment of Dermatology, Unidade Local de Saúde de Santo AntónioAbstract Introduction Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with a substantial impact on patients’ quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to characterize the burden of moderate-to-severe AD in the Portuguese population, focusing on patients’ QoL and socioeconomic activities while describing their treatment patterns and healthcare resource use. Methods This multicenter, cross-sectional, and non-interventional study in eight Portuguese referral AD centers recruited patients over 12 years old, seeking first-time AD care. Patients over 16 years old were analyzed, and data on demographics, clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, healthcare resource utilization, and burden of disease via patient-reported outcomes (PROs) were collected. Results With a predominantly White cohort, a mean age of 30.0 years, and balanced gender distribution, the study highlighted the significant impact of moderate-to-severe AD on patients’ QoL, with a mean Dermatology Life Quality Index score of 15.19. High levels of itch, lesional skin severity, sleep disturbance, and pain contributed to the substantial burden of disease. Productivity was impaired in 40.0% of patients and daily activities were disrupted in 50.0%. Average body surface area involvement was 45.82%, with a mean of 6.49 AD flares in the previous year. Dermatologists played a pivotal role in the patient journey, contributing significantly to the diagnosis (55.9%) and referral process (70.9%). Treatment patterns highlighted a historical reliance on topical therapies and an evolving landscape with post-visit inclusion of advanced therapies such as dupilumab (38.5%), conventional immunosuppressants like cyclosporine (31.2%), and baricitinib (6.8%). Conclusion This study unveils the intricate landscape of moderate-to-severe AD in Portugal, highlighting a substantial unmet need for optimal disease management. The role of dermatologists is crucial, yet limited adoption of advanced therapies in the face of significant disease burden prompts critical reflection.https://doi.org/10.1007/s13555-025-01347-9Chronic skin conditionsDermatological careHealth-related quality of lifePatient-reported outcomesReal-world evidenceTreatment patterns |
| spellingShingle | Bruno Duarte Pedro Mendes-Bastos Joana Antunes Filomena Azevedo Margarida Gonçalo Martinha Henrique Vanda Marques Isabel Freitas Tiago Torres The APOLO Study: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Disease Characteristics and Patient Burden in Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis in Portugal Dermatology and Therapy Chronic skin conditions Dermatological care Health-related quality of life Patient-reported outcomes Real-world evidence Treatment patterns |
| title | The APOLO Study: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Disease Characteristics and Patient Burden in Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis in Portugal |
| title_full | The APOLO Study: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Disease Characteristics and Patient Burden in Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis in Portugal |
| title_fullStr | The APOLO Study: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Disease Characteristics and Patient Burden in Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis in Portugal |
| title_full_unstemmed | The APOLO Study: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Disease Characteristics and Patient Burden in Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis in Portugal |
| title_short | The APOLO Study: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Disease Characteristics and Patient Burden in Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis in Portugal |
| title_sort | apolo study a cross sectional analysis of disease characteristics and patient burden in moderate to severe atopic dermatitis in portugal |
| topic | Chronic skin conditions Dermatological care Health-related quality of life Patient-reported outcomes Real-world evidence Treatment patterns |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s13555-025-01347-9 |
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