Itchy Eczema Research Articles

Exploratory analyses of biomarkers in blood and stratum corneum in patients with atopic dermatitis.

Background:The pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD) involves various mediators, including cytokines and chemokines, which are produced by immune cells, such as dendritic cells and lymphocytes, and non-immune cells, such as epidermal cells. Several mediators, including thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), are used as biomarkers for AD severity and activity. However, additional local and systemic biomarkers of AD are required.Methods:This study will include 10 male patients with AD and 5 healthy adult males (age range: 20–80 years). The Eczema Area and Severity Index will be used to objectively evaluate the clinical findings. In addition, the severity of eruptions will be assessed on a 5-point scale by scoring symptoms (erythema, edema/papules, oozing/crusting, excoriation, lichenification, and xerosis), and the total intensity will be calculated by adding the symptom scores together. Subjective symptoms will be assessed using a peak pruritus numerical rating scale. Laboratory tests, including measurements of peripheral eosinophil count and serum total immunoglobulin E, TARC, and lactate dehydrogenase levels, will be performed. Using blood samples and extracts of stratum corneum samples obtained by tape stripping, we will conduct an exploratory analysis of protein expression using an antibody array to identify mediators whose levels are significantly altered in patients with AD. After 4 to 8 weeks, blood samples and stratum corneum samples will be collected again from AD patients. Moreover, we will examine whether the candidate proteins can be quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.Discussion:This is an important study exploring potential local and systemic biomarkers of AD. The results of this study will be clinically meaningful for the discovery of new biomarkers for diagnosing and assessing the severity of AD.

The Prevalence of Atopic Dermatitis in Korean Children.

The Prevalence of Atopic Dermatitis in Korean Children.

학령기 아동의 아토피 피부염 유병률과 교실 실내 환경 위험요인에 관한 연구 -통합창원시 지역을 중심으로-

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence rate of atopic dermatitis (AD) and indoor risk factors of AD in school-aged children living in Changwon, which is one of the largest industrial cities in Korean. Data were collected from 2,118 children in 12 elementary schools in Changwon city. A cross-sectional questionnaire based on the Korean Version of the ISAAC (International Study of Allergy and Asthma in Childhood) was employed to survey the <TEX>$1^{st}$</TEX> and <TEX>$4^{th}$</TEX> year elementary students from the 12 elementary schools in Changwon. The life time and last 12-month prevalence of itchy eczema were 20.6%; 70.5% in the elementary children. The life time and last 12-month prevalence of AD diagnosis were 28.8%; 12.6% in the elementary children. There was only one elementary school that was abnormal in the levels of particulate matters (PM), and <TEX>$Co_2$</TEX>. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that risk factors for AD were BMI, the levels of PM, <TEX>$Co_2$</TEX>, CO, <TEX>$No_2$</TEX>, <TEX>$O_3$</TEX>, Ethylebenzene, and Xylene. This study could be used to manage possible risk factors that are related to the prevalence of AD and develop the strategies for prevention of AD.

Complete enumeration for the prevalence of allergic disease in Udo Isle's inhabitants

Purpose: This study is to estimate the prevalence of allergic disease for the entire inhabitants living in Udo Isle, one of the islands of Jeju. Methods: The complete enumeration using International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood group was applied to the 1,090 people residing in the Isle. This survey was performed for 2 months from June to July, 2012. For children, their parents` responses were collected, and for adults, their self-reports and interview were performed simultaneously. Of the 1,003 questionnaires (92.0%) were collected, 925 questionnaires were finally analyzed, excluding those of insufficient responses for questionnaires and inhabitants residing in Udo Isle less than one year. Results: For asthma, the prevalence of “wheeze, last 12 months” was 6.6%. The prevalence of “allergic rhinitis, last 12 months” was 17.9%. The prevalence of “itchy eczema, last 12 months” was 8.1%. The prevalence of “allergic conjunctivitis, last 12 months” was 8.1%. The prevalence of “food allergy, last 12 months” was 2.3%. The prevalence of “drug allergy, last 12 months” was 0.8%. Conclusion: The inhabitants of Udo Isle had lower prevalence of atopic dermatitis than that of in the entire Jeju Island. However, compared with other regions, it showed higher prevalence, and it tended to be decreased with aging. The prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, food allergy and drug allergy, presented no difference by age. (Allergy Asthma Respir Dis 2013;1:116-Allergy Asthma Respir Dis 2013;1:116-122)

The Relationship Between Psychosocial Stress and Allergic Disease Among Children and Adolescents in Gwangyang Bay, Korea

ObjectivesStress is considered a causal factor in many diseases, allergic disease being one of them. The prevalence of allergic disease is increasing in Korea, but the relationship between allergic symptoms and stress is not empirically well known. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between allergy-related symptoms and stress in children and adolescents.MethodsWe investigated 698 children and adolescents living in Gwangyang Bay, Korea, using a multi-stage cluster sampling method. Using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood and the Psychosocial Well-being Index, these subjects were surveyed on allergy-related symptoms and psychosocial stressors in their lives, respectively. We used a multivariate logistic analysis for odds ratios for the complaint rate of allergic symptoms, after adjusting for age, gender, household income, body mass index, and residence.ResultsAfter adjustments, lifetime rhinitis (odds ratio [OR], 1.024), rhinoconjunctivitis (OR, 1.090), diagnosis of itchy eczema (OR, 1.040), treatment of itchy eczema (OR, 1.049), 12-month allergic conjunctivitis (OR, 1.026), diagnosis of allergic conjunctivitis (OR, 1.031), and treatment of allergic conjunctivitis (OR, 1.034) were found to be significantly associated with stress.ConclusionsOur results support the notion that there is a relationship between stress and allergic symptoms in children and adolescents. Further research into any causal relationship between stress and allergies, as well as preventative public health plans for decreasing stress in children and adolescents are needed.

Exposure to Gene-Environment Interactions before 1 Year of Age May Favor the Development of Atopic Dermatitis

Background: The aims of this study were to determine (1) the prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) in Seoul, Korea, and (2) the influence of environmental and genetic factors on disease risk. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted in 5,036 primary school children and 4,607 middle school children in 2008. For each child, a modified version of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire and a questionnaire assessing exposure to environmental variables were completed. Results: In primary school children, the lifetime prevalence of itchy eczema was 24.3%, the 12-month prevalence of itchy flexural eczema was 18.0%, the lifetime prevalence of AD diagnosis was 31.3%, and the 12-month prevalence of AD treatment was 14.5%. In middle school children, the corresponding rates were 16.0, 10.8, 22.1, and 8.3%, respectively. These rates are significantly higher than those reported in similar studies conducted in 1995 and 2000. In both primary and middle school children, a parental history of allergic disease and a history of having moved into a newly built house before 1 year of age were independently associated with a risk for current AD. For current AD, the prevalence odds ratio was higher in the subgroup with both a genetic and a specific environmental risk factor than in the subgroup with no risk factor or subgroups with only one risk factor. Conclusions: The prevalence of AD in primary and middle school children in Seoul has increased. Its development may be influenced by gene-environment interactions, particularly before 1 year of age.

The Environmental and Educational Management Effects of Atopic Dermatitis in a Seoul Elementary School

Methods:A modified Korean version of written questionnaires from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood was completed by the parents of 125 first-grade children. Skin prick tests (SPTs) for nine common inhalants and food allergens were performed. Air cleaners, HEPA vacuum cleaners, wet blackboards, and wet towels were used to clean the floor in the class- room. Students and their parents participated in school-based educational programs about atopic dermatitis. A follow-up questionnaire and SPTs were performed at 6 months after improving the classroom conditions. Indoor air quality was measured at the 3 months interval in July and September of the same year after the school-based program. Results:The prevalence of itchy eczema ever and a diagnosis of atopic dermatitis, within the last 12 months was 26.4% and 12.0%, respectively. Eleven students (34.4%) showed positive results among 32 students who were examined with SPTs. All children who showed positive results were sensitized with house dust mites. After the environmental change, the prevalence of itchy eczema within the last 6 months and diagnosis of atopic dermatitis within the last 6 months was 14.7% and 7.8%, respectively. Skin reactivity assessed by mean wheal diameter decreased. Mea- sured indoor air quality values improved in all classrooms by September. Conclusion:School-based environmental changes and educational programs including a partner- ship among home, school, society, and the public health care center could be applied to better manage atopic dermatitis in school children. (Pediatr Allergy Respir Dis(Korea) 2011;21:285-293)