EADV

EADV 2025: Suicidal thoughts common in adults with eczema, global study finds

September 23, 2025

The Scars of Life study, presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress 2025, surveyed 30,801 adults across 27 countries to assess the mental health burden of atopic eczema (AE). Among 15,223 adults with physician-confirmed AE, 13.2% reported suicidal thoughts, compared with 8.5% of 7,968 controls. Elevated risk was consistent across all age-of-onset groups.

Key risk factors included age <30 years (odds ratio [OR], 1.6), obesity (OR, 1.29), and moderate-to-severe AE (OR, 2.01). Clinical symptoms such as pruritus, skin pain, and high symptom intensity were significantly associated with suicidal ideation. Psychosocial stressors including stigmatization and sleep disturbances (especially mixed insomnia: OR, 1.78) further increased risk.

These findings highlight the need for dermatologists and primary care providers to screen for psychological distress in patients with AE and to address modifiable risk factors.

Source:

(2025, September 17). Beyond the surface: Atopic eczema linked to significantly higher risk of suicidal thoughts, major study finds [Press release]. Presented at: European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress 2025. https://eadv.org/2025/09/17/beyond-the-surface-atopic-eczema-linked-to-significantly-higher-risk-of-suicidal-thoughts-major-study-finds/