The impact of atopic dermatitis on work life – a systematic review

Abstract

Background

Atopic dermatitis (AD) has considerable multidimensional personal and societal costs. However, the extent to which the patient's work life is affected due to AD is more sparsely described in the literature.

Objective

To examine the impact on work life for patients with AD, with a specific focus on choice of education and occupation, sick leave, social compensations and change of job due to AD.

Methods

A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science up to 7^th February 2017 for articles on the impact on work life for patients with atopic dermatitis. Results were summarized taking several measures of study quality into account.

Results

23 articles were found eligible. 5 studies assessed the influence of AD on educational or job choice, without any consistent conclusion, while 8 out of 9 studies with respect to sick leave and 2 on disability pensions found AD to have a negative impact. Studies of change or loss of job and AD showed more diverse results, as not all studies documented a negative effect of AD on work life.

Conclusions

AD imposes a burden extending beyond personal, emotional and financial costs. This review strongly implies that AD affects sick leave, and though not fully clarified, possible also job choice, change or loss of job and even disability pensions for the more severe cases.

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