Atopic dermatitis and its association with serum immunoglobulin E levels: our experience in KVG medical college and hospital, Karnataka

Abstract

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Eczema is an inflammatory skin reaction which presents as acute, subacute and chronic forms. Eczemas persisting for more than 6 weeks or characterized by thickening and discoloration of skin is typical of chronic eczema. Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a type of chronic or chronically relapsing eczematous skin disorder. To determine the percentage of AD in all forms of chronic eczema by using HRC. We also estimated serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels and determined its correlation with chronic eczemas and with various clinical parameters of HRC.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> A total of 50 patients with chronic eczema meeting defined inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled in this cross-sectional study after taking an informed consent and approval of institutional ethical committee. All patients were subjected to a detailed history based on a questionnaire. A thorough clinical examination was done to determine all major and minor clinical parameters of HRC for AD. Blood samples were collected and AEC and total serum IgE levels were determined.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> Most of our study patients were females (64%). Majority of males (77.7%) were farmers and majority of females (56.2%) were housewives assisting in fieldwork activities. Various causes of chronic eczema were clinically diagnosed AD (34%), chronic actinic dermatitis (8%), polymorphic light eruption (4%), airborne contact dermatitis (10%), phyto-photodermatitis (10%), chronic hand and/or foot eczema (16%) and seborrheic dermatitis (2%). Thirty-two patients (64%) satisfied HRC. Among all clinical parameters of HRC, pruritus and xerosis were the commonest in AD patients. Serum IgE level was raised in 58% of chronic eczema and 68.7% of AD patients.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Serum IgE levels showed significant association with typical morphology and distribution of lesions, early age of onset and perifollicular accentuation.</p><h2> </h2>