Atopic Eczema is a very common inflammatory skin disease for which the predominant symptom is ITCHING. It is often underestimated but the signs and symptoms have a huge impact on patients’ lives. Those patients affected by a severe form are suffering more than is acceptable.
This came out very clearly from the European study launched by EFA in 9 countries involving 1,200 patients. Participants to the study answered via phone to a questionnaire made of several validated instruments to assess the economic burden, individual suffering, emotional impact and coping.
Our Patient Adviser to the project, Bernd Arents presented the preliminary results at the International Symposium on Atopic Dermatitis (ISAD) organised in Utrecht (the Netherlands) in 11-13 April 2018.
Many efforts are still required to relieve the psychological and emotional burden; from investing in research for more effective treatments to providing a better access and affordable health care. But most importantly, it is crucial to improve the awareness and understanding of the disease among the public, healthcare professionals and policy makers.
Detailed results of our study will be made public during the next EADV Congress taking place in Paris in September and promoted there during first EFA Eczema Awareness Day 14 September. Stay tuned!
More information on our Atopic Eczema project is available in our website.