Abstract
This study aimed at exploring atopic dermatitis (AD) prevalence in children and exhaustively analyzing their comorbidity. We conducted a descriptive analysis of their socio-demographic and comorbidity characteristics in the EpiChron Cohort (Aragón, Spain). Adjusted odds ratios (OR) were calculated for each comorbidity using logistic regression models. In total, 33,591 children had a diagnosis of AD, resulting in an overall prevalence of 15.5%. AD prevalence was higher in girls compared to boys, in 3–9-year-olds compared to children of other ages, and in Spanish children compared to those of other nationalities. Multimorbidity was present in 43% of children, with the most frequent chronic comorbidities being asthma (13.1%), psychosocial disorders (7.9%), and visual impairment (7.8%). Many diseases were, regardless of their prevalence, statistically associated with AD. The strongest associations (odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval (CI))) were found in asthma (2.10 (2.02–2.17)), allergic rhinitis (2.00 (1.91–2.10)), and irritable bowel syndrome (1.90 (1.56–2.31)). A better understanding of the array of comorbidities associated with AD in children might help improve their clinical management. Future longitudinal studies are encouraged to shed light on the potential underlying pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the identified associations.
Highlights
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease of multifactorial etiology characterized by age-specific skin lesions, xerosis, and highly pruritic outbreaks
A total of 33,591 children under 18 years of age belonging to the cohort showed an AD diagnosis during the study period, which resulted in an overall AD prevalence of 15.5% (Table 1)
Regarding the area of residence, AD prevalence was slightly lower in rural areas and in the most deprived ones
Summary
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease of multifactorial etiology characterized by age-specific skin lesions, xerosis, and highly pruritic outbreaks. According to the estimates of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) [4], AD globally affects 15%–20% of children and 1%–3% of adults [5]. These prevalence figures are growing worldwide and show clear geographical variances; AD is more frequent in industrialized and high-income countries than in agriculture-based ones with low incomes [6,7]. Patients with AD are more susceptible to the development of allergic diseases and frequently suffer from multimorbidity (i.e., coexistence of more than one chronic condition). To the best of our knowledge, there are no large-scale population-based publications analyzing the global comorbidity of AD during childhood
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