Atopic dermatitis in adults: clinical and epidemiological considerations.

OBJECTIVE

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory disease causing intense pruritus, and with typical clinical features. There are few epidemiological studies concerning AD in adults, as well as little information about its prognostic. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and epidemiological course of adults with AD.

METHODS

80 patients aged above 18 years (mean age=29 years) were selected (30 males and 50 females) and interviewed about hospitalization, systemic corticoid usage, age of AD onset, and personal and/or familial history of atopy. Disease severity was evaluated through the Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) tool. Laboratory examination included IgE serum levels and eosinophil blood count.

RESULTS

71 out of 80 patients referred association with respiratory symptoms (18 had asthma, 17 had rhinitis, and 36 had both conditions); nine out of 80 patients denied any respiratory disease. AD patients were divided in mild (n=25), moderate (n=30), and severe (n=25); 56% had one or more hospitalizations due to AD. A positive association was found between IgE serum levels, eosinophil blood count, and disease severity.

CONCLUSION

Adult AD represents a clinical challenge that needs to be better characterized, since it can be misdiagnosed and interferes with the patient's social and personal life. The association of skin and respiratory atopic disease is frequent, and laboratory parameters such as circulating IgE levels and eosinophil blood count may be helpful to assess disease severity.