Atopic Dermatitis Modestly Raises Risk of 5-Year All Cause Mortality

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Alexander Egeberg, MD PhD Gentofte Hospital Department of Dermatology and Allergy Kildegårdsvej 28 2900 Hellerup Denmark 

Dr. Egeberg

Alexander Egeberg, MD PhD
Gentofte Hospital
Department of Dermatology and Allergy
Denmark 

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

Response: In recent years, a number of studies have examined associations between atopic dermatitis and various comorbidities.  However, although comorbidities are extensively being examined, cause-specific mortality in patients with atopic dermatitis has not been examined. We examined 8,686 adults with atopic dermatitis, and compared these with 86,860 age- and sex-matched individuals from the general population.

In total, patients with atopic dermatitis had a 27% higher relative risk of all-cause mortality over a five-year period. Specific causes of death were due to infectious-, cardiovascular-, and urogenital diseases, respectively.

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?

Response: Cumulative evidence suggests that the burden of comorbidities, in particular cardiovascular comorbidities and risk factors, is much less for atopic dermatitis compared with other diseases such as psoriasis. Moreover, it appears that the increased risk which has been reported in some studies, is predominantly due to behavioral factors such as smoking, as well as due to use of systemic therapies such as corticosteroids. Although the relative risk was increased, the absolute risk of death in patients with atopic dermatitis was quite modest, and only resulted in approximately one additional death per 1000 patients per year, compared to individuals without atopic dermatitis.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Response: While data suggest that unhealthy lifestyle may be the dominant cause of adverse outcomes, and in turn death, in patients with atopic dermatitis, future studies should focus on whether lifestyle interventions may reduce this risk and improve the prognosis of patients with atopic dermatitis.

MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.

Citation:

Cause specific mortality in adults with atopic dermatitis
Thyssen, Jacob P. et al.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology , Volume 0 , Issue 0 ,
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2017.10.032

http://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(17)32590-2/fulltext?rss=yes

Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions. 

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Last Updated on November 3, 2017 by Marie Benz MD FAAD