Patient and Healthcare Provider Perspectives on the Pathway to Diagnosis of Seborrheic Dermatitis in the United States

Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is a common, chronic inflammatory skin condition associated with significant impact on quality of life, yet its etiology and pathophysiology are not well understood. With significant impact on patients’ quality of life, understanding the diagnostic pathway from the perspectives of patient and healthcare providers (HCPs) is crucial.

An online survey was developed and administered in conjunction with the Harris Poll to gain insight into patient and HCP perspectives about SD diagnosis and management from December 2021 to January 2022.

Most patients were unaware of SD before their diagnosis (71%) and experienced difficulty finding information online (56%). Patients delayed seeking medical attention for SD by an average of 3.6 years, with most patients feeling their symptoms did not require medical attention (63%), a perception that HCPs correctly anticipated. Additionally, most patients (58%) reported embarrassment discussing their SD symptoms with HCPs, a factor HCPs underestimated. HCPs also underestimated the percentage of patients self-reporting moderate-severity SD. Patients preferred dermatology HCPs for SD treatment (79%), and reported visiting an average of 2.3 different HCPs, with 75% of patients seeing more than one provider.

These insights highlight the complexities in the diagnostic and management pathways of SD and underscore the need for a more nuanced understanding and approach in addressing the condition.

Infographic available for this article.