Prevalence and Comorbidities of Atopic Dermatitis in Korean Children and Adolescents From 1995 to 2022: A Population-Based Study

Abstract

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) and its associated risk factors in Korean children in 2022, and to compare to our findings with previous results to identify changes or trends over time. Methods: A nationwide, cross-sectional study of randomly selected schoolchildren aged 6-7, 9-10, and 12-13 years, respectively, was completed. Information was obtained through the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire, and comparisons between the current and prior surveys performed in 1995, 2000, and 2010 were conducted using a trend test. Results: In the 2022 survey, the prevalence of "itchy eczema, ever" was 18.3% in 6-to 7-year-olds, 21.6% in 9-to 10-year-olds, and 18.8% in 12-to 13-year-olds. The prevalence of "AD diagnosis, ever" in 6-to 7-year-olds rose from 20.9% in 1995 to 35.4% in 2010, then dropped to 13.6% in 2022 (P < 0.001), while in 12-to 13-year-olds, it increased from 7.1% in 1995 to 23.7% in 2010, then declined to 17.5% in 2022 (P < 0.001). In 6-to 7-year-olds, the prevalence of "AD only" and "AD and asthma" decreased between 1995 and 2022 (all P < 0.001). In 12-to 13-year-olds, the prevalence of "AD only," "AD and rhinitis," and "AD and asthma and rhinitis" all increased during the same period (all P < 0.001). Conclusions: The prevalence of AD decreased in Korean children aged 6-7 years and increased in those aged 12-13 years, respectively, between 1995 and 2022, with a concomitant rise in allergic comorbidities among adolescents, suggesting age-dependent trends influenced by diverse AD phenotypes.