Chronic hand eczema misunderstood, under-treated

A recent survey has revealed significant gaps in the understanding and treatment of chronic hand eczema (CHE) among dermatology providers. The survey, conducted by Ipsos, found that 65% of respondents believe there is a lack of education distinguishing CHE as a condition separate from atopic dermatitis (AD).

The survey findings, based on responses from 100 U.S. dermatologists and 92 nurse practitioners or physician assistants specializing in dermatology, also highlight dissatisfaction with current treatment options. More than one-half (51%) of providers agreed that therapies approved for moderate-to-severe AD fall short in addressing moderate-to-severe CHE. Nearly two-thirds of respondents expressed frustration with the management of CHE, ranking it as more challenging than other chronic skin conditions such as psoriasis. There are no approved treatments specifically for CHE.

Dr. Raj Chovatiya

“Chronic hand eczema, often abbreviated as ‘CHE,’ is one of the most common skin disorders of the hands. Affecting about 15.9 million people in the U.S., CHE is associated with pain, itching, and cracked, raw, blistering skin lesions that can make life difficult,” said Raj Chovatiya, MD, PhD, Clinical Associate Professor at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science Chicago Medical School. “Unfortunately, because CHE is a multifactorial condition with overlapping morphologic and etiologic subtypes, diagnosis and treatment can be complex and burdensome. It is crucial that we continue to learn more about this condition and explore effective longitudinal disease management strategies to help alleviate its burden.”

Additional survey findings showed:

• Patients with CHE spend significant amounts of time at the doctor’s office—62% of providers surveyed reported their moderate-to-severe CHE patients average three to four office visits per year, and 27% report their patients come to the office five to six times a year.

• According to survey respondents, the lack of appropriate treatment options for CHE means physicians note low adherence to the therapies they do prescribe—61% of providers say, on average, their moderate to severe CHE patients are currently on three to four different medications to treat CHE, but almost one-quarter (24%) of the providers estimate that 31% to 50% of their CHE patients are noncompliant.

  
  

Data from the second phase of the survey will be released in Q2 2025. One highlight from the second phase is that 96% of surveyed U.S. dermatology providers agree moderate to severe CHE has a significant impact on patients’ work and home life.

The Ipsos survey was commissioned by LEO Pharma.