Effect of comorbid atopic dermatitis on severity of airway allergies, a retrospective study

Abstract

Introduction
Atopic illnesses are multifactorial chronic disorders that may progress from one type to another with overlapping pathogenetic mechanisms. Atopic dermatitis (AD) severity was the most powerful predictor of atopic comorbidities. This study was planned to assess the effect of AD on the severity and response to allergen-specific immunotherapy in patients with airway allergies.


Patients and methods
The study was retrospective. Patients who were included patients diagnosed with airway allergic disorders and were managed in our allergen immunotherapy outpatients’ department. Diagnosis, demographic data, symptoms, medication scores, and the presence of AD were recorded.


Results

Comorbid AD was detected in 12% of patients. Baseline symptom score of airway allergies was significantly higher among patients who had AD (median score was 3 compared with 2 among those who did not have AD,
P
:0.02). After allergen immunotherapy, a significant association between AD and symptom score was detected (
P
=0.05).



Conclusion
The AD is associated with the severity of airway allergies and may deteriorate the underlying airway allergic symptoms.