Childhood atopic dermatitis is associated with a decreased chance of completing education later in life: a register-based cohort study

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) has far-reaching consequences in childhood and later in working life, but information on how it affects completion of education is sparse.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the educational achievement of individuals with AD in childhood/adolescence and individuals without a history of AD.

METHODS: The study population included patients diagnosed with AD prior to the age of 16 registered in the Danish National Patient Register (DNPR) born in the period 1977-1993 and a 23-fold matched control group from the background population. Cross-linkage of five different Danish registers from 1977 to 2015 allowed comparison of AD patients with controls regarding completion of education.

RESULTS: In total, 10 173 individuals were registered with AD in the DNPR, while 234 683 individuals served as control group. Mild/moderate AD was associated with a decreased chance of completing basic compulsory education [hazard ratios (HR): 0.92, 95% CI: 0.90-0.95] and further academic education (HR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.93-0.98). Severe AD was associated with a decreased chance of completing further academic education (HR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.80-0.92), further vocational education (HR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.84-0.97) and higher education: master's level (HR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.53-0.81).

CONCLUSION: Atopic dermatitis in childhood/adolescence is associated with a decreased chance of completing an education.