Suicidal ideation in patients with atopic dermatitis: A case-control study on 23,191 adults

INTRODUCTION

Due to its substantial psychosocial burden, atopic dermatitis (AD) is linked to an increased risk of suicidal ideation (SI). As part of the ‘Scars of Life’ study, we conducted a case–control analysis to assess the prevalence and risk factors of SI in a sample of adults representative of the general population with physician-confirmed AD, compared to adults without AD from the same population, across 27 countries. The survey collected sociodemographic variables, a subjective evaluation of SI (‘have you had suicidal ideation: in the last 24 months? before the age of 18’), itch and skin pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale, VAS), clinical severity [CSv] (POEM5) and skin-related stigmatization (PUSH-D6).