The prevalence of common skin conditions in Australian school students: 2.Atopic dermatitis

The prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) was recorded following examination by dermatologists and dermatology registrars of a random sample of 2491 sc hool students throughout the State of Victoria, Australia, The overall prev alence; based on clinical examination, was 16.3% (95% confidence interval, CI 14.1-18.5), being higher in girls (17.7%; 95% CT 15.0-20.4) than boys (1 4.8%; 95% CI 11.8-17.8). Using the U.K. Working Party Diagnostic Criteria f or AD reduced the prevalence to 10.8% (95% CI 9.3-12.3) with the prevalence in girls 12.3% (95% CI 10.1-14.4) and in boys 9.2% (95% CI 7.1-11.4). The prevalence was highest in 4-6 year olds (18.7% on clinical examination, 11. 5% using the U.K. Working Party Criteria), decreasing with increasing age t o 11.6% on clinical examination (8.6% err. U.K. Working Party Criteria) amo ng 16-18 year olds. Most of those with AD were classified as having mild di sease (54.1%), with 32.1% classified as having minimal and 13.8% as having moderate to severe disease, Over 80% of those who reported on the questionn aire that they had dermatitis that was then confirmed an examination had be en using one-or more products to treat it. Nearly 90% of these products wer e classified as efficacious, with medical practitioners being the major sou rce of advice for their use (77%). Pharmacists (8%), family/friends (6%) an d others (9%), including beauticians and naturopaths, made up the remainder of the persons from whom those affected,had sought advice about their trea tment. These data, the first community-based prevalence data on AD publishe d from Australia, confirm that the condition is:common among those of schoo l age. There is a need for AD to be included among those conditions that ar e discussed in health education lessons in schools.