Using linked electronic health data to improve eczema diagnosis and outcomes (360G-Wellcome-205039_Z_16_Z)

Eczema affects 20% of children and up to 10% of adults (5.8 million people in England) and prevalence is increasing globally. Eczema is associated with discomfort, stress and stigma for sufferers and incurs significant costs (UK estimates £465 million in 1996). Eczema is a heterogeneous disorder with different presentations and courses. Current divisions into allergic (atopic)/non-allergic eczema are too simplistic. Lack of understanding of eczema phenotypes is impeding insights into aetiology, treatment personalisation, outcome prediction and the development of novel treatments. Previous studies also suggest associations between eczema and adverse medical and social outcomes; studies are limited by small sample sizes, cross- sectional designs and failure to control risk factors. I will use international health data to undertake the following programme of work: Theme 1: Data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children will be used to create a new phenotypic classification of eczema to help understand causal pathways, target treatments and better predict prognosis. Theme 2: I will estimate associations between eczema and major health (mortality, heart disease, cancer), psychosocial, economic and social problems (depression, anxiety, reduced educational attainment/income, marriage/partnership rates) using UK and Danish e-health data. This work will inform the long-term care of patients with eczema.