WELCOME
By Dr Lena Ly and A/Prof Gayle Ross
Co-Chairs of the Atopic Dermatitis Scientific Advisory Committee
We are excited to bring you the latest edition of the Australasian Dermatology Registry (ADR) newsletter, focusing on Atopic Dermatitis (AD). With approximately 1 in 5 Australians affected by AD at some point in their lives, the condition remains one of the most common chronic skin diseases in the country. For children, the prevalence is even higher, with 1 in 3 children affected by AD, highlighting the significant burden on both young patients and their families.
In this edition, we emphasise the growing need for comprehensive real-world data in Australia to better understand the impact of AD on the population. While clinical trials have provided valuable insights, real-world data can offer a more nuanced understanding of patient experiences and treatment outcomes in everyday settings. This is particularly important in the context of Australia’s diverse demographic, where variations in environmental and socioeconomic factors can all influence the progression and severity of AD. By capturing comprehensive longitudinal data from both public and private dermatology clinics across Australasia, the ADR provides dermatologists with invaluable local real-world evidence to inform clinical decision-making and to facilitate advocacy for our patients.
As many as 30% of children with AD experience moderate to severe forms of the condition, which can significantly affect their quality of life. It is for this reason we call for the continued recruitment of paediatric patients to the ADR. By expanding our registry to include more paediatric data, we can better tailor treatment strategies to this vulnerable population and improve long-term outcomes, including disease management, quality of care, and future research directions.
We encourage all members of the Australian AD community—patients, families, clinicians, and researchers—to join this crucial effort. Your participation will play a pivotal role in advancing AD care across Australia by contributing valuable insights, strengthening research efforts, and helping to shape more effective, patient-centred treatment approaches for current and future generations.