Almost half (47.9%) of the European general population more than 18 years old declared at least one dermatological condition in the past 12 months, according to the results of a new survey from the European Academy of Dermatology and Venerology (EADV). The results were presented at the EADV 30^th Annual Congress.

The study is the largest ever undertaken of its kind in Europe. Data has now been collected from 44,689 adults from 27 European countries, including all countries from the European Union as well as the UK, Norway and Switzerland.

Preliminary findings show that among 21,401 members of the general population, 47.9% of people 18 years of age or older self-reported at least one skin condition. On average, those people affected declared a median of two skin diseases.

Projecting these figures to the total NEUKS (Norway, European Union, UK and Switzerland) population of 408M inhabitants aged 18 years shows that more than 195M adults in Europe self-reported at least one skin condition.

The most common skin conditions among those surveyed is fungal skin infection, affecting almost 1 in 10 people (9.07%). Other common conditions, each affecting more than 1 in 20 people, were:

• atopic dermatitis (eczema) (5.34%)
• alopecia (5.22%)
• acne (5.49%)

Furthermore, skin symptoms / unpleasant skin sensations including tightness and itching as a specific consultation request were reported by 20% of people 18 years of age or older.

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Before EADV undertook this study, little was known about the prevalence of skin diseases in the general population across Europe. In addition, there is a lack of solid, objective and homogeneous data at the European level on the quality-of-life impact of skin diseases, including stigmatisation, or on the perception of and access to dermatologists.

The EADV therefore commissioned an adult population-based survey – The Burden of Skin Disease in Europe – to:

• Evaluate the prevalence of dermatologic or venereological conditions across Europe
• Understand the reasons for consulting a dermatologist; the impact of skin conditions on patients; the public perception of skin conditions; skin disease care pathways; prescribed treatment; and confidence in dermatologists

Following the Congress, the Academy plans to fully analyse the data and submit the initial findings to JEADV for potential publication before rolling out further results from the survey over the next several months.

More EADV news available here

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