Eczema, also known as dermatitis, is a skin condition characterised by dry, itchy, and inflamed skin. Its symptoms can impact everyday and social activities and have downstream impacts on psychological well-being. Eczema is a common condition among the UK population, and this is supported by estimates generated by GlobalData epidemiologists. GlobalData forecasts show that the 12-month diagnosed prevalent cases of atopic eczema in the UK are expected to see a slow increase across the coming years, rising from 5,070,000 to 5,170,000 cases from 2026 to 2033. Notably, eczema is an atopic disease, which refers to a genetic tendency to develop allergic conditions, meaning that many with eczema may go on to develop other allergic conditions, such as asthma. However, understanding its relation to non-allergic conditions is more limited. In a new study published in Nature Communications, Schultze and colleagues offer fresh insights into the potential comorbidities associated with eczema.
Starting in 1997, the analysis included up to 25 years of diagnosis and prescription records of over three million people in England using the Clinical Practice Research Database. Those with and without eczema were matched by age, sex, and general practice. Although atopic (allergic) conditions accounted for most of the other comorbidities that participants had, those with eczema were 70% more likely to develop Crohn’s disease during the study’s follow-up period than people without eczema. A similar heightened risk of around 70% was also seen for the eye condition keratitis. Both are inflammatory conditions and can incur serious consequences across the life course. Crohn’s is an incurable disease causing inflammation of the gut, which can lead to life-threatening complications if not managed. Similarly, keratitis is an inflammation of the eye’s cornea, which can lead to blindness if left untreated. Notably, when these results were stratified by age, those aged 18 or younger with eczema had the largest risk when compared to any other age group.
Access deeper industry intelligence
Experience unmatched clarity with a single platform that combines unique data, AI, and human expertise.
This study presents an important finding in understanding the potential implications of an atopic eczema diagnosis across the life course. The findings warrant further exploration of any shared underlying mechanisms between the conditions, as these could present strong targets for therapy. Given the high prevalence of atopic eczema in the UK population, developing an understanding of atopic eczema as a risk factor in other chronic health outcomes could also facilitate improved care and prevention efforts to mitigate the overall burden of chronic conditions.
