Itch, sleep loss, depressive symptoms, fatigue, and productivity loss in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: Analyses of TREATgermany registry data

BackgroundTREATgermany is a multicenter registry including patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) from currently 74 study centers (university clinics, hospitals and practices) in Germany. As of August 31, 2021, 1,230 adult patients were enrolled. MethodsIn TREATgermany, patients and physicians fill in questionnaires pertaining to symptoms, disease severity, quality of life, depressiveness, and fatigue. In particular, limitations in work performance are assessed using the Work Limitations Questionnaire (WLQ). To assess associations between occupational performance/work limitations and symptoms, correlations and regression models were calculated. ResultsThe examined sample of 228 employed patients reported an average of 6% at-work productivity loss within the past two weeks prior to enrolment in the registry. The WLQ productivity loss score was moderately associated with itch (r = 0.32) and sleep loss (r = 0.39) and strongly associated with depressive symptoms (r = 0.68) and fatigue (r = 0.60). ConclusionsThe analyses of the registry data show that moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis has a negative impact on the work productivity of the patients. The analyses further point out the relevant associations between work productivity, depressive symptoms, and fatigue highlighting the disease burden caused by the psychological components of AD.

Automated summary

TREATgermany is a multicenter registry study conducted in Germany, involving patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD). The study found that AD has a negative impact on the work productivity of patients, and there are significant associations between work productivity and itch, sleep loss, depressive symptoms, and fatigue.