Almost half of the people in Europe have a skin problem or disease

The European Academy of Dermatology and Venerology (EADV) has released initial findings from its Burden of Skin Diseases in Europe survey, the largest study of its kind ever undertaken in Europe. The survey gathered data from 44,689 adults across 27 European countries, including all countries in the European Union, as well as Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

According to the preliminary results of the study, almost half of European adults over 18 years old declared at least one dermatological condition in the past 12 months, with a median of two skin diseases reported. The study's projections to the total population of the NEUKS (Norway, European Union, UK, and Switzerland), which includes 408 million inhabitants aged 18 years, revealed that more than 195 million adults in Europe self-reported at least one skin condition.

Most Common Skin Conditions

The most common skin condition reported in the survey was a 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%), and acne (5.49%). In addition, skin symptoms, such as tightness and itch, as a specific consultation request were reported by 20% of people over 18 years old.

Impact of Skin Diseases on Patients

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

The EADV survey aimed to evaluate the prevalence of dermatological 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.

Commitment to Making Skin Disease a Public Health Priority

Marie-Aleth Richard, Professor at the University Hospital of La Timone, Marseille, and the EADV Board Member leading the survey, said that the EADV is committed to making skin disease a public health priority, as one in two people across Europe lives with a skin disease on a daily basis.

The EADV plans to fully analyze 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. This new information could potentially change how the medical community views and addresses skin conditions across Europe.