Use of emollients and topical glucocorticoids among adolescents with eczema - datafrom the population-based birth cohort BAMSE.

BackgroundKnowledge regarding how adolescents treat their eczema is sparse. ObjectivesTo 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. MethodsQuestionnaire-based data on symptoms of eczema, eczema severity and treatment with emollients and topical glucocorticoids were obtained from 3108 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 patients with current eczema (n=247). Information on dispensed topical glucocorticoids was obtained from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register. ResultsIn all, 10% of the adolescents 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 [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 595, 95% confidence interval (CI) 190-188], but not if they had more severe eczema compared with mild eczema (adjusted OR 157, 95% CI 058-425). Among those with reported eczema, 24% had a topical glucocorticoid dispensed in the preceding year, and among those with moderate-to-severe current eczema 24% had a dispensed potent topical glucocorticoid. ConclusionsThis population-based study indicates that adolescents with eczema are undertreated or completely untreated, even those with severe eczema.