(108) Examining the Shifts in Atopic Dermatitis: A Retrospective Study of Patient Demographics and Insurance Coverage from 2018 to 2023

Background: : Atopic Dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition affecting both children and adults, often leading to reduced quality of life and increased healthcare utilization. Recent years have seen growing interest in the epidemiology of AD, particularly how trends vary by age, insurance coverage, and access to care.

Objective: : Analyze shifts in AD prevalence, patient age, and insurance coverage from 2018 to 2023.

Methods: : This retrospective study analyzed data from the STATinMED RWD Insights database, an all-payer medical and pharmacy claims source, to evaluate trends in atopic dermatitis (AD) from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2023. The analysis focused on patients with a diagnosis of AD identifying both pediatric ( < 18 years) and adult (≥18 years) populations. Patient demographics including age, sex, race, and insurance type were extracted for each year.

Results: : The percentage of AD patients as a proportion of the total population remained consistent over the years, ranging between 0.17% and 0.19%. In 2018, AD patients represented 0.17% of the population (465,067 out of 267 million), increasing slightly to 0.19% in 2019 (499,283 out of 267 million). The percentage then stabilized at 0.18%, reaching the same proportion in 2023 (495,297 out of 277 million), indicating a steady prevalence relative to the overall population. A notable shift occurred towards an older AD population. The number of pediatric AD patients ( < 18 years) decreased significantly, from 109,010 (23.4%) in 2018 to 19,169 (3.87%) in 2023, while adult AD patients (≥18 years) rose substantially, from 356,057 (76.6%) in 2018 to 476,128 (96.13%) in 2023. Insurance coverage trends also shifted. Commercial insurance for AD patients grew from 50.59% (235,299 patients) in 2018 to 56.80% (281,329 patients) in 2023. Conversely, the proportion of AD patients covered by Medicare decreased from 25.98% (76,395 patients) in 2018 to 19.62% (74,003 patients) in 2023. Similarly, Medicaid coverage dropped from 16.43% (120,804 patients) in 2018 to 14.94% (97,176 patients) in 2023.

Conclusions: : This study highlights key trends in AD epidemiology from 2018 to 2023. The proportion of pediatric AD patients declined from 23.4% in 2018 to 3.87% in 2023, while the adult population grew from 76.6% to 96.13%. Insurance coverage patterns also shifted: commercial coverage increased from 50.59% to 56.80%, while Medicare and Medicaid coverage declined. These findings emphasize the need for targeted policies to address the growing adult AD population and the impact of insurance changes on care management.

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