Association between atopic dermatitis and thyroid disease among U.S. adults in the 2001-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Abstract

To the Editor: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common and chronic inflammatory dermatological condition that affects the daily life of individuals in various ways. Many studies have discussed the numerous autoimmune conditions that are potentially associated with AD. 1 Lu Z. Zeng N. Cheng Y. et al. Atopic dermatitis and risk of autoimmune diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2021; 17: 96https://doi.org/10.1186/s13223-021-00597-4 Crossref PubMed Scopus (6) Google Scholar Recent research has suggested that the underlying pathophysiology of AD may contribute to the development of autoimmunity. 2 de Lusignan S. Alexander H. Broderick C. et al. Atopic dermatitis and risk of autoimmune conditions: Population-based cohort study. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2022; 150: 709-713https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2022.03.030 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (1) Google Scholar In addition, our group has reported that psoriasis is associated with thyroid dysfunction. 3 Liu J. Thatiparthi A. Martin A. et al. Association between psoriasis and thyroid dysfunction among US adults in the 2009-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2022; 86: 897-899https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2021.03.030 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (0) Google Scholar In 2012, Pedullà et al 4 Pedullà M. Miraglia Del Giudice M. Fierro V. et al. Atopy as a risk factor for thyroid autoimmunity in children. J Biol Regul Homeost Agents. 2012; 26: S9-S14https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.12281 Crossref PubMed Scopus (21) Google Scholar reported a significant association between AD and autoimmune thyroid disease in children from Naples, Italy. However, there is limited research directly exploring the relationship between AD and thyroid disease in a large U.S. adult population. Our study focused on analyzing the relationship between AD and thyroid dysfunction in U.S. adults (ages 20-59 years) using the 2001-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, as this was the most recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data available for AD. Institutional Review Board approval was not obtained as all patient data were de-identified.