# Sexual Health in Atopic Dermatitis: Impact of Skin Clinical Control

## TL;DR

This study shows that atopic dermatitis is linked to sexual health issues, which improve when the skin condition is better managed with treatment.

## Contribution

The study identifies sexual health disorders in atopic dermatitis patients and shows that improved clinical control reduces these disorders.

## Key findings

- Sexual health disorders were present in 56% of mild, 96% of moderate, and 100% of severe atopic dermatitis patients.
- Improved AD control through pharmacotherapy reduced SHD frequency by 60% in mild, 41% in moderate, and 28% in severe cases.
- AD severity, skin area affected, and disease duration were significant risk factors for SHD.

## Abstract

Sexual health in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) remains scarcely studied. Identifying the problematic of sexual health disorders (SHD) in AD and associated factors is important for the design and implementation of targeted interventions.

To describe the frequency of sexual health disorders (SHD) in AD patients, identify risk factors and assess whether improved AD control with pharmacotherapy is associated with changes in SHD.

We performed a prospective observational study in AD patients over 18 years of age. Participants completed a survey assessing clinical aspects of SHD and AD at baseline and 5–7 months after initiating specialists‐recommended treatment. For AD severity evaluation we used SCORAD and POEM scales and for SHD we used SyDSF‐AP, IFSF, and MGH‐SFQ.

A total of 221 AD patients were enrolled. At baseline, the frequency of SHD varied according to AD severity (SHD in severe AD 100%, in moderate AD 96%, and in mild AD 56%). Risk factors for SHD were AD severity (SCORAD OR 3.88 [95% CI 2.68–4.73], POEM OR 4.67 [95% CI 3.05–5.79]), skin area affected (OR 3.15 [95% CI 2.88–5.19]), and disease duration (OR 3.75 [95% CI 1.88–4.91]). Improved AD control through pharmacotherapy reduced SHD frequency in mild AD (relative reduction [RR]: −60%), moderate AD (RR: −41%), and severe AD (RR: −28%).

Atopic dermatitis was frequently associated with SHD even in mild forms of the disease. However, AD clinical control reduced the frequency of SHD, and consequently improving the quality of life of patients.