Adults with atopic eczema suffer from suicidal thoughts significantly more often than the general population, as a new international study at the Congress 2025 of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology shows. The “Scars of Life” study, one of the most comprehensive worldwide on this connection, surveyed a total of 30,801 adults in 27 countries in 2024, including 15,223 with medically diagnosed atopic eczema and 7,968 control subjects without the disease. The results underline the far-reaching psychological stress of the chronic inflammatory skin disease, which affects more than 200 million people worldwide and is characterized by recurring episodes of dry, itchy and inflamed skin.

The participants with atopic eczema were grouped according to the onset of the disease in childhood, adolescence or adulthood and provided information on sociodemographic data, suicidal thoughts, severity of itching and skin pain, overall severity of the disease and skin-related stigmatization in a comprehensive online questionnaire. Overall, 13.2 percent of those affected reported suicidal thoughts, compared to 8.5 percent of the control subjects. This increased risk was evident regardless of the onset of the disease: all subgroups had a higher prevalence than the comparison group.

In addition to physical symptoms, there is increasing recognition of the burden on mental health, including anxiety disorders, depression and social stigma. The study identified several factors that increase the risk of suicide. Younger adults under the age of 30 had a 60 percent higher risk (odds ratio 1.6), as did people with obesity (OR 1.29). Clinical features played a central role: moderate to severe disease doubled the risk (OR 2.01), while itching, skin pain, and high symptom intensity were significantly associated with increased thoughts of suicide.

Psychosocial aspects and sleep disorders also contributed. Those with suicidal thoughts experienced greater stigma and more frequent sleep problems, with mixed insomnia – difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep – particularly strongly correlated with the risk (OR 1.78). The researchers emphasize that these effects extend beyond the skin, and suicidal thoughts are a common, often overlooked problem.

The study, led by Dr. Delphine Kerob, among others, is intended to help health professionals identify risk factors at an early stage and address them in a targeted manner in order to improve the well-being of patients. Further analyses examine country-specific differences that could reflect cultural influences. Atopic eczema therefore requires a holistic approach that integrates physical and mental aspects to avoid long-term complications.

Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR

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