Risk Factors For Skin Diseases Research Articles

Dietary Influences on Skin Health in Common Dermatological Disorders.

The role of diet in the development of skin disorders is well-established, with nutritional deficiency often identified as a risk factor for skin diseases. Imbalances in the skin can be caused by nutritional deficiencies, excessive intake, insufficient nutrients, and hazardous ingredients. Patients frequently inquire about the impact of dietary patterns on skin health when consulting dermatologists in clinical settings. Simultaneously, the popularity of using nutritional supplements containing vitamins, minerals, and nutraceutical blends has been on the rise. It is crucial for dermatologists, primary care physicians, and other healthcare providers to be acquainted with evidence-based dietary interventions, distinguishing them from those that are more market-driven than truly efficacious. This review explores the modification of diet, encompassing both dietary exclusion and supplementation, as a therapeutic approach for conditions such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, bullous disease, vitiligo, and alopecia areata. A comprehensive literature search, utilizing the PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar, and Medscape databases, was conducted to investigate the relationship between each nutrient and various inflammatory skin diseases. The findings emphasize the significance of a well-balanced and thoughtfully planned diet in supplying adequate amounts of proteins, vitamins, and minerals to support optimal skin health. Additionally, this comprehensive review navigates through various dietary recommendations, offering insights into their multifaceted impacts on the immune system, gut microbiome, and skin health. The goal is to pave the way for informed and targeted dietary interventions for individuals dealing with food allergies and associated skin conditions.

Investigating causal relationships between obesity and skin barrier function in a multi-ethnic Asian general population cohort

BackgroundSkin diseases impact significantly on the quality of life and psychology of patients. Obesity has been observed as a risk factor for skin diseases. Skin epidermal barrier dysfunctions are typical manifestations across several dermatological disturbances.ObjectivesWe aim to establish the association between obesity and skin physiology measurements and investigate whether obesity may play a possible causal role on skin barrier dysfunction.MethodsWe investigated the relationship of obesity with skin physiology measurements, namely transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin surface moisture and skin pH in an Asian population cohort (n = 9990). To assess for a possible causal association between body mass index (BMI) and skin physiology measurements, we performed Mendelian Randomization (MR), along with subsequent additional analyses to assess the potential causal impact of known socioeconomic and comorbidities of obesity on TEWL.ResultsEvery 1 kg/m2 increase in BMI was associated with a 0.221% (95%CI: 0.144–0.298) increase in TEWL (P = 2.82E–08), a 0.336% (95%CI: 0.148–0.524) decrease in skin moisture (P = 4.66E–04) and a 0.184% (95%CI: 0.144–0.224) decrease in pH (P = 1.36E–19), adjusting for age, gender, and ethnicity. Relationships for both TEWL and pH with BMI remained strong (Beta 0.354; 95%CI: 0.189–0.520 and Beta –0.170; 95%CI: –0.253 to –0.087, respectively) even after adjusting for known confounders, with MR experiments further supporting BMI’s possible causal relationship with TEWL. Based on additional MR performed, none of the socioeconomic and comorbidities of obesity investigated are likely to have possible causal relationships with TEWL.ConclusionWe establish strong association of BMI with TEWL and skin pH, with MR results suggestive of a possible causal relationship of obesity with TEWL. It emphasizes the potential impact of obesity on skin barrier function and therefore opportunity for primary prevention.

Risk Factors of Skin Diseases among School Children in South Eastern Communities in Nigeria

Background: Skin disorders frequently seen among primary school children are common causes of morbidity. Determining the risk factors of skin diseases, will enhance a better understanding of skin health and prevent skin diseases in school children.
 Aim: To determine the common risk factors of skin diseases among primary school children in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State.
 Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study carried out over a 4-month period among pupils of public and private primary schools. Diagnosis of skin diseases was based on clinical findings as well as laboratory investigations where indicated. A pre-tested, self-administered, close ended questionnaire was used to ascertain the risk factors of skin diseases.
 Results: Eight hundred and forty-seven (847) and seven hundred and thirteen (713) subjects were recruited from public and private schools respectively. Fifty-six percent of the subjects were males. The mean age of the study participants was 8.74 ± 2.08 years. The overall prevalence of skin diseases was 40.2%. Using a multivariate logistic regression, gender, number of people per room, frequency of bathing per week and source of water were found to be significant risk factors for skin diseases.
 Conclusion: Socio-demographic factors and living conditions are significant risk factors of skin diseases. Standard hygienic practices by school children and their parents/ caregivers will help to reduce the high prevalence of skin diseases in our environment.
 Authors
 O Ewurum 1, C A Ibeneme 2, T O Nnaji 3, A N Ikefuna 4

Ambient Air Pollution, Meteorological Factors and Outpatient Visits for Eczema in Shanghai, China: A Time-Series Analysis

Environmental irritants are important risk factors for skin diseases, but little is known about the influence of environmental factors on eczema incidence. In this time-series study, our objective was to examine the associations of environmental factors with outpatient visits for eczema. Daily outpatient visits between 2007 and 2011 (1826 days) were collected from Huashan Hospital in Shanghai, China. We used an overdispersed generalized additive model to investigate the short-term association between environmental factors and outpatient visits for eczema. Daily outpatient visits for eczema were significantly associated with air pollution and meteorological factors. For example, a 10 μg/m3 increase of 7-day (lag 06) average concentrations of PM10 (particulate matter no greater than 10 microns), SO2, NO2 was associated with 0.81% (95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.39%, 1.22%), 2.22% (95% CI: 1.27%, 3.16%) and 2.31% (95% CI: 1.17%, 3.45%) increase in outpatient visits for eczema, respectively. A 10 °C elevation of temperature on lag 0 day were associated with 8.44% (95% CI: 4.66%, 12.22%) increase in eczema visits, whereas 10 unit decrease of 7-day average relative humidity were associated with 10.86% (95% CI: 8.83%, 12.89%) increase in eczema visits. This study provided clear evidence of ambient air pollution, high temperature and low relative humidity on increasing the incidence of eczema in Shanghai, China.

Obesity indices as a risk factor of skin diseases: A Case-control study conducted in Cairo, Egypt

Overweight and obesity are two major health problems that have been recognized worldwide which affect all ages and have many negative health effects. WHO in year 2010 reported that in Egypt the prevalence of overweight among women is 76% compared to 64.5% for male while the prevalence of obesity among women is 48% compared to 22% for male. The aim of the study was to determine the most prevalent skin diseases among the studied over-weight and obese patients and to examine if overweight and obesity are risk factors for skin diseases. A case-control was carried out on 250 overweight and obese patients compared with another 250 normal weight patients as controls. The participants were selected from the outpatient dermatology clinic of Al Hussein University hospital, Faculty of medicine, Alazhar University, Egypt. All patients were subjected to medical history, clinical dermatological examination and measurement of obesity indices. The most prevalent skin diseases among the studied cases were: striae (68.4%), planter hyperkeratosis (61.6%), skin tags (61.2%), acanthosis nigricans (53.6%), intertrigo (53.6%), tinea pedis (41.2%) with statistical significance difference compared to controls. As a result, overweight and obesity might be a risk factor for some skin diseases. Dermatologists must work with primary health care physicians and nutritional specialists to reduce incidence of obesity or reduce the effects of obesity on the skin.South East Asia Journal of Public Health Vol.5(2) 2015: 23-29

Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Skin Diseases Among Army Personnel and Flood Victims During the 2011 Floods in Thailand.

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for skin problems among flood victims and army personnel during the 2011 floods in Thailand. To determine the prevalence of and risk factors for skin symptoms, standardized questionnaires were used to collect demographic data, current skin symptoms, history of water exposure, and sanitary behaviors. A certified dermatologist evaluated those who presented with skin problems and provided diagnoses. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess independent risk factors for skin symptoms. The most prevalent skin disease was irritant contact dermatitis. Flood victims showed a higher prevalence of skin symptoms compared with army personnel. Development of skin symptoms after exposure to floodwater was also observed earlier among flood victims. Having a history of skin diseases and delayed skin cleaning after exposure were also significant risk factors for the development of skin symptoms. This information might be used as guidelines for protecting military personnel and to educate the general public regarding flood disaster management. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:570-575).

Prevalence and risk factors for skin diseases among antiretroviral‐naïve HIV‐infected pregnant women in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Reduced cell-mediated immunity associated with pregnancy may cause a flaring or exacerbation of some skin conditions. Little is known about the magnitude of and risk factors for skin diseases among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected antiretroviral therapy-naïve pregnant women. Cross-sectional study of 1078 HIV-infected antiretroviral therapy-naïve pregnant women was conducted in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Skin diagnoses were mainly clinical. Log-binomial regression models were used to explore factors associated with the outcomes. About 84% of the women were in World Health Organization (WHO) HIV stage I. Median CD4(+) count was 405×10(6) cells/l. The prevalence of any skin disease was 18%. Fungal infections (11%), genital ulcers (7%), and viral infections (5%) were the most common skin conditions. Skin infections were 2.64 times more common in HIV stage III (95% CI 1.51-4.62) compared to stage I. Fungal infections were 1.77 times common among single, divorced, and widowed women than among married women (95% CI 1.16-2.69), 2.8 times common among women in HIV stage III (95% CI 1.18-6.64) compared to stage I. Genital ulcers were significantly more common among women whose source of income was their own compared with those who got full support from partners, and among WHO HIV stage III disease compared to stage I. The burden of skin diseases was relatively low. Advanced HIV stage was associated with a range of skin conditions. CD4(+) cell count was not related to skin infection prevalence.

Prevalence and associated factors of comorbid skin diseases in patients with schizophrenia: a clinical survey and national health database study

ObjectivesTo examine the epidemiology of and possible risk factors for skin diseases in patients with schizophrenia. MethodsAll of 337 patients with schizophrenia were recruited from the therapeutic community of a psychiatric hospital and underwent a detailed skin examination. The National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) was used to compare the prevalence of skin diseases between patients with schizophrenia and those without. ResultsIn the clinical survey, fungal infection (61.4%) and dermatitis (46.9%) were the most common skin diseases. Clozapine users had a lower risk of fungal infection than those on typical antipsychotics [odds ratio (OR)=0.49, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.30–0.81]. Obese patients were more likely to have fungal infections than those without (OR=1.93, 95% CI=1.20–3.09), and those with diabetes had an increased risk of bacterial infection than those without (OR=2.0, 95% CI=1.06–3.75). NHIRD revealed that the overall prevalence of skin diseases, including infections, dermatitis, hyperkeratosis, pilosebaceous disease, androgenic alopecia, xerosis and stasis, were higher in patients with schizophrenia than in those without (75.1% vs. 72.6%, P=.01). ConclusionsThe prevalence of skin diseases is high in patients with schizophrenia, for whom proper skin care is necessary to improve their life quality.

Obesity increases the risk of UV radiation-induced oxidative stress and activation of MAPK and NF-κB signaling

Obesity has been implicated in several diseases, including cancer; however, the relationship of obesity and susceptibility to ultraviolet (UV) radiation-caused skin diseases has not been investigated. As UV-induced oxidative stress has been implicated in several skin diseases, we assessed the role of obesity on UVB-induced oxidative stress in genetically obese Lep ob/Lep ob (leptin-deficient) mice. Here, we report that chronic exposure to UVB (120 mJ/cm 2) resulted in greater oxidative stress in the skin of obese mice in terms of higher levels of H 2O 2 and NO production, photo-oxidative damage of lipids and proteins, and greater depletion of antioxidant defense enzymes, like glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase. As UV-induced oxidative stress mediates activation of MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways, we determined the effects of UVB on these pathways in obese mice. Exposure of obese mice to UVB resulted in phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK, and p38 proteins of the MAPK family. Compared to wild-type mice, the obese mice exhibited higher levels of phosphorylation of these proteins, greater activation of NF-κB/p65, and higher levels of circulating proinflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6, on UVB irradiation. Taking these results together, our study suggests for the first time that obesity in mice is associated with greater susceptibility to UVB-induced oxidative stress and therefore may be a risk factor for skin diseases associated with UVB-induced oxidative stress.