Use of emollients and topical glucocorticoids among adolescents with eczema: data from the population‐based birth cohort BAMSE

S. Lundin, C.F. Wahlgren, A. Bergström, E.K. Johansson, E. Dahlén, N. Andersson, I. Kull

Knowledge regarding how adolescents treat their eczema is sparse. To explore the use of emollients and topical glucocorticoids in adolescents with eczema in relation to sex and disease severity, and to study dispensing patterns of topical glucocorticoids. Questionnaire-based data on symptoms of eczema, eczema severity and treatment with emollients and topical glucocorticoids were obtained from 3,108 adolescents in the Swedish population-based birth cohort BAMSE. Severity of reported eczema was evaluated with the BAMSE Eczema Severity Score (BESS) in a questionnaire and with the Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure in clinically examined subjects with current eczema (n = 247). Information on dispensed topical glucocorticoids was obtained from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register. In all, 10% reported eczema in the preceding year: 73% mild, 17% moderate and 10% severe according to BESS. Almost all used emollients, whereas use of topical glucocorticoids was reported by 55%, with no significant difference between sexes. The likelihood of treatment with emollients and topical glucocorticoids increased when the adolescents had symptoms of current eczema (ORAdj5.95, 95% CI 1.90-18.8), but not if they had more severe eczema compared to mild eczema (ORAdj1.57, 95% CI 0.58-4.25). Among those with reported eczema, 24% had a topical glucocorticoid dispensed in the preceding year and among those with moderate to severe current eczema 25% had dispensed a potent topical glucocorticoid. This population-based study indicates that adolescents with eczema are undertreated or completely untreated, even those with severe eczema. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.