Atopic Eczema Linked to Suicidal Ideation in Global Study of 30,000 Adults

A large global study of more than 30,000 adults across 27 countries has revealed a significant association between atopic eczema and suicidal ideation.¹

“The results highlight that the effects of atopic eczema are more than skin deep, with suicidal thoughts representing a serious and frequent concern that is often overlooked by healthcare professionals,” said investigator Delphine Kerob, a consultant dermatologist at Saint Louis hospital in Paris and the scientific director of La Roche-Posay Laboratoire Dermatologique, in a statement.²

The findings add to growing evidence that atopic eczema carries a substantial psychological burden. Previous research has shown that patients with the condition face about a 14% higher risk of depression and a 17% higher risk of anxiety compared with those without eczema.³ Many patients with atopic eczema also face social stigma and experience daily challenges of managing their disease.

The “Scars of Life” study, which surveyed 30,801 adults aged 18 years or older across 27 countries and 4 continents in 2024, was presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress 2025 in Paris on September 17, 2025.¹ La Roche-Posay Laboratoire Dermatologique conducted this cross-sectional observational study, along with international experts in atopic dermatitis, between June and September 2024. Investigators aimed to create a comprehensive international database to assess the psychosocial burden of atopic eczema.

Among the sample, 15,223 had physician-confirmed atopic eczema (8726 males; mean age, 41.1 ± 14.1 years), and 7968 did not (4063 men; mean age, 43.7 ± 15.6 years.¹ Investigators grouped participants by the age they developed atopic eczema: childhood (n = 2875), adolescence (n = 4965), or adulthood (n = 7383).

Participants completed questionnaires on sociodemographic details, self-reported suicidal ideation, severity of itch and skin pain (via the Visual Analog Scale), disease severity (Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure), and skin-related stigmatization (PUSH-D tool). The team used a case-control analysis to assess the prevalence of suicidal ideation and risk factors among patients with atopic eczema.

The study found that 13.2% of adults with atopic eczema reported suicidal ideation, compared with 8.5% of adults without atopic eczema (relative risk [RR], 1.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01 – 1.2; P < .01). Moreover, no matter the onset date, participants with atopic eczema had greater suicidal ideation than controls: adult-onset: odds ratio [OR] 1.56; 95% CI: 1.41–1.73; P <.0001), adolescent-onset: OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.53–1.91, P <.0001), and childhood onset: OR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.50–1.96; P <.0001). The onset subgroups showed no significant suicidal ideation prevalence difference compared to one another: adult-onset (46.5%) versus adolescent-onset and childhood onset (53.4%) (OR, 1.1; 95% CI, 1.0 – 1.2; P = .06).¹

The study also identified several factors strongly linked to suicidal ideation among adults with atopic eczema, including younger age (38.15 vs 41.6 years; P <.001) and male sex (60.25% vs 56.88%). Adults under 30 years old were 31% more likely to report suicidal thoughts than adults over 30 years (21.93%) (OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.44 – 1.77; P < .001). Additionally, obesity (20.6% vs 16.7%) was strongly associated with suicidal ideation in patients with atopic eczema (OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.15 – 1.45; P <.001).¹

Having moderate-to-severe atopic eczema doubled the odds of suicidal ideation (OR, 2.01; P < .001). Specific clinical features also increased the risk of suicidal ideation, including pruritus, skin pain, and high overall symptom intensity (all P < .001).¹

Furthermore, sleep factors contributed to the suicidal risk (P < .001). Participants with suicidal thoughts reported greater levels of stigmatization and more prevalent sleep disorders. Mixed insomnia (sleep-onset and maintenance) was particularly linked to suicidal ideation (OR, 1.78; P < .001).¹

“By identifying the main risk factors behind suicidal ideation in this population, we hope this study will help healthcare professionals better recognize and address these challenges, supporting patients’ overall well-being more effectively,” Kerob said.² “Looking ahead, we are investigating why suicidal ideation occurs at different rates across countries, which may reflect important cultural differences. At the same time, ongoing analyses from the ‘Scars of Life’ study are enhancing our understanding of what happens beneath the surface in patients with atopic eczema.”

References

1. Seneschal, J., Halioua, B., Tan, J., Gu, C., Luger, T., Dodiuk-Gad, R., Takaoka, R., Aslanian, F., Prakoeswa, C. R. S., Demessant-Flavigny, A.-L., Lefloch, C., Kerrouche, N., Merhand, S., Smith Begolka, W., Luca de Tena, Á., Burstein, S., Kerob, D., Taieb, C., Skayem, C., Kelbore, A. G., Misery, L., Tempark, T., Stratigos, A., Steinhoff, M., & Silverberg, J. I. (2025). Prevalence and risk factors of suicidal ideation in atopic eczema: Insights from the Scars of Life study. Presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress 2025.

2. Beyond the surface: Atopic eczema linked to significantly higher risk of suicidal thoughts, major study finds. EurekAlert! Published September 16, 2025. Accessed September 18, 2025. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1097824

3. Schonmann Y, Mansfield KE, Hayes JF, Abuabara K, Roberts A, Smeeth L, Langan SM. Atopic Eczema in Adulthood and Risk of Depression and Anxiety: A Population-Based Cohort Study. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2020 Jan;8(1):248-257.e16. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2019.08.030. Epub 2019 Aug 31. PMID: 31479767; PMCID: PMC6947493.