A Multiple-Domain Framework of Clinical, Economic, and Patient-Reported Outcomes for Evaluating Benefits of Intervention in Atopic Dermatitis

April 2007 | Volume 6 | Issue 4 | Original Article | 416 | Copyright © April 2007


Mark Boguniewicz MD, William Abramovits MD, Amy Paller MD, Diane L. Whitaker-Worth MD, Mary Prendergast MBA, J. Wang Cheng, Patrick Wang, Kuo B. Tong MS

Abstract
Atopic dermatitis (AD) increases health care utilization, affects patient quality of life, places a burden on caregivers, decreases patient/parent productivity, and adds to health care costs. Few studies have examined the effect of specific treatment modalities across a variety of AD-related outcomes. This prospective, multicenter, open-label longitudinal study of adult and pediatric patients with moderate to severe AD was conducted to evaluate the effect of a specific therapeutic intervention on AD-related outcomes over a period of 6 months. Surveys collected physician clinical assessments and patient- and caregiverreported data across the following domains: clinical outcome, health care utilization/costs, quality of life, physical appearance, productivity/absenteeism, and medication compliance. This study is intended to help guide future research efforts on the net costs and benefits of different interventions across a diverse set of domains and in larger populations.