[Significance of atopic dermatitis in outpatient medical care. Analysis of health care data from Saxony].

BACKGROUND: Data on health services utilization by children and adults due to atopic eczema (AE) are scarce, as well as data concerning the epidemiology of AE in adults.

METHODS: Utilizing a population-based administrative health care database from Saxony, Germany, that covers comprehensive information on outpatient health care of 2.1 million individuals in 2003 and 2004, this study describes the relevance of AE as the proportion of children and adults with outpatient visits due to AE (ICD10 L20). Age- and sex-stratified prevalences of AE were estimated as the proportion of individuals insured by the Saxony Compulsory Health Insurance (AOK Sachsen), who were diagnosed as having AE at least twice within the study period.

RESULTS: Being diagnosed in 15.6% of all children (age<18), AE was the most prevalent chronic-inflammatory condition at all in this age group. The prevalence of AE was 22.8% in one year old children, 8% in adolescents, and 2 to 4% in adults.

CONCLUSION: AE is of utmost public health importance in children and adolescents, and also relevant for outpatient healthcare beyond the discipline of dermatology in adults. Despite the higher prevalence in children, approximately 60% of all patients with AE were adults.