Prevalence of Atopic dermatitis in Nigeria: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin disorder in Nigeria, and the scare availability of data on its prevalence has limited response to its burden in Nigeria.

Objective: This study aim to estimate the prevalence of AD in Nigeria through systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: A literature search of PubMed, African Journal Online and Google Scholar for hospital-based and community-based studies with prevalence data on AD published between January 2000 and December 2020 was conducted. Diagnosis of AD was either by the dermatologist or use of specified criteria. Inverse variance heterogeneity method, a modified random effect meta-analysis was used to estimate the pooled overall prevalence of AD, in each region (north and south), and in children.

Results: Among the 1,966 references evaluated, 18 hospital-based and 6 community-based studies from 16 states in Nigeria were selected, corresponding to a total of 50,673 patients. Half of the selected studies were on children only, while the other half was on children and adults. Studies of AD on adults only was not found. The overall prevalence of AD was 10% (95%CI=7–13). Prevalence in northern Nigeria was 13% (95% CI=6-21) and 9% (95%CI=6–12) in southern Nigeria. For studies done in children (few weeks to 20years old), prevalence of AD was 8% (95%CI=2–15).

Conclusion: The findings of this review suggest the burden of AD in Nigeria is increasing. Further epidemiological studies on childhood AD and research on adulthood AD are needed. There is also need to assess the features of doctor-diagnosed AD and how it compares with established diagnostic criteria.