Clinical characteristics of a population with atopic dermatitis in a tertiary center

Abstract

Background: Information about the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of atopic dermatitis (AD) is essential to generate knowledge of the disease and its socioeconomic impact. Objective: To describe the clinical characteristics of the patients of an atopic dermatitis clinic. Methods: An observational, retrospective, and cross-sectional study. Demographic data, severity of the AD (according to the Eczema Area Severity Index), clinical phenotype, total serum IgE, the presence of allergic and non-allergic comorbidities, as well as of anxiety and depression, were recorded by means of targeted questionnaire and Hamilton Scale. Descriptive and inferential statistics were obtained, considering a statistical significance associated with a value of p <0.05. Results: 187 patients were included; the median age was 12 years with a range of 1-87 years. Differences were found regarding sex and severity (p < 0.05). Mild forms of AD were presented in 57.8% of the patients, moderate forms in 20.9%, and severe forms in 21.4%. The severity was associated with allergic comorbidities such as asthma (p = 0.001) and allergic conjunctivitis (p <0.001). Severe AD was associated with a state of anxiety and depression (p <0.05), as well as with ocular affectation (p<0.001). Conclusion: The pediatric population is the most affected by AD; however, in the adult population, the severe form associated with allergic comorbidities is observed.