Prognostic factors in atopic dermatitis.

A long-term follow-up study (24 years minimum) was made of 955 individuals aged 24-44 years, who had atopic dermatitis (AD) in childhood. The material was divided into two groups; patients who in 1952-56 had been hospitalized on at least one occasion at the Department of Dermatology, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm (Group 1), and patients who in 1955-56 had been out-patients in the same department (Group 2). At the time of investigation 62% and 40% of the patients in Groups 1 and 2 respectively had ongoing dermatitis, the majority with mild skin lesions. The frequency of healing of AD and severity of persistent or recurring dermatitis were influenced by several factors. In order of relative importance, disregarding sampling errors, persistent dry/itchy skin in adult life, widespread dermatitis in childhood, associated allergic rhinitis, family history of AD, associated bronchial asthma, early age at onset, and female sex were associated with low frequency of healing and increased severity of persistent or recurring dermatitis.