162 Atopic dermatitis is associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adults

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder with multiple risk factors that may increase the risk of attention deficit (hyperactivity) disorder (ADD/ADHD). However, risk factors for ADD/ADHD in individuals with AD have yet to be fully elucidated. We analyzed data from 354,416 children and 34,613 adults from 19 US population-based studies (1997-2013 National Health Interview Survey, 2003-2004 and 2007-2008 National Survey of Children’s Health), to examine the factors contributing to the association between AD and ADD/ADHD. In meta-analysis of pooled data from all 19 studies using logistic regression with robust variance estimation, childhood AD was associated with ADD/ADHD (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.14 [1.03 – 1.26], P=0.008). In multivariate logistic regression models of data from NHIS 2012, controlling for socio-demographics, comorbid atopic disease, and healthcare utilization, adult AD was also associated with ADD/ADHD (1.61 [1.25–2.06], P<0.001). Children with both AD and sleep disturbance (3.16 [2.30–4.35], P<0.001), overweight (1.92 [1.24-2.99], P=0.004), obesity (1.55 [1.21-1.99]. P<0.001), headaches (2.29 [1.52-3.43], P<0.001), and asthma (1.77 [1.37-2.29], P<0.001), but not anemia (P=0.08) and adults with both AD and insomnia (3.53 [2.51-4.98], P<0.001), obesity (2.09 [1.34-3.27], P=0.001), migraines (2.56 [1.61-4.08]. P<0.001) and asthma (3.39 [2.23-5.15], P<0.001) had even higher odds of ADD/ADHD than individuals with any disorder alone. The results of this study suggest that AD accompanied by sleep disturbance, comorbid obesity, headaches, and asthma, is associated with higher odds of ADD/ADHD.