223 Atopic dermatitis is associated with increased risk of serious infections in US children and adults

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with barrier disruption, immune dysregulation and treatment with immune-suppressants that may increase risk of infections. We sought to determine if adults with AD have increased risk of serious infections and related outcomes. We analyzed data from the 2002-2012 National Inpatient Sample, including a 20% representative sample of all US hospitalizations. Overall, the prevalence of serious infections [95% CI] was higher in adults with AD vs. no AD (41.2% [39.8-42.5] vs. 24.9% [24.7-25.1]; P1000.00 [597.63- >1000.00]), erysipelas (14.19 [5.89-34.18]) and cellulitis [6.43 [5.87-7.05]). The respiratory infections with highest odds, included allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (4.74 [1.20-18.76) and bronchitis (1.71 [1.35-2.16]). AD was also associated with many other extra-cutaneous and systemic infections, including infectious arthropathy (2.36 [1.37-4.08]), endocarditis (2.71 [1.50-4.89]), encephalitis (2.27 [1.29-3.98]) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcal aureus infections (3.56 [2.28-5.57]). In conclusion, adults with AD had significantly higher odds of cutaneous, respiratory, multi-organ and systemic infections.