Predicting eczema severity beyond childhood

Abstract

We evaluated factors associated with eczema severity in adolescence. Nottingham Eczema Severity Score (NESS), family and personal history of atopy, skin prick test for common food and aeroallergens, highest serum IgE level and eosinophil count were evaluated. Patients with paired NESSs (childhood-NESS is NESS performed at <10 years of age; adolescence-NESS is NESS performed at age >10 years) were further analyzed. Adolescence-NESS (n=383 patients) was associated with eczema onset in infancy, dust mite and food allergen sensitization, dietary avoidance, use of wet wrap, traditional Chinese medicine, immunomodulant (azathioprine or cyclosporine), high IgE level, eosinophil count, but not with family/personal history of atopy. Eighty-two patients had both childhood-NESS and adolescence-NESS (mean follow-up of 6.8 years) showing that adolescence-NESS was associated with childhood- NESS severity grades (P=0.034). Of these patients, 48% remained in the same severity grades, whereas 39% improved, and 13% deteriorated from childhood to adolescence. It is not possible to assure parents that their child can outgrow eczema. In eczema prognosis research, long-term follow-up is warranted.