Atopic dermatitis in Italian children: evaluation of its economic impact.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of our study was to evaluate the economic impact of atopic dermatitis (AD) on the family of young children affected by the disease in Italy.
METHODS: Thirty-three families of young children affected by AD were asked to fill in a questionnaire about financial costs associated with providing health care during the past year for their child affected by AD. For each child AD severity was evaluated by using the SCORAD index.
RESULTS: By analyzing the questionnaire, an annual average cost of 1254euro (about U.S. $1540) for each family was determined. Main expenses concern the use of moisturizing therapies, particular detergent, and private specialist consultations. Annual family average cost was lower for children with mild AD compared with those with moderate to severe AD. DISCUSSION: AD has a deep impact on the family budget, with an increasing cost in proportion to the increasing severity of the disease. These data support previous reports suggesting that the management of AD in children is complex and costly, altering the quality of life of children and their families.