The epidemiology of atopic dermatitis

The epidemiology of atopic dermatitis (AD) has received less attention than its pathophysiology and treatment. As AD is a dynamic disease with genetic and environmental influences, an understanding of its epidemiology is essential, especially to identify risk factors that, when modified, may ultimately prevent disease. Possibly as a result of an increased incidence of this disease, scientific interest in the epidemiology of AD has increased since the late 1980s (Williams 1992, Williams et al. 2008). Quality-of-life issues and the significant financial, social, and personal costs have also elevated the importance of studying AD.