How epidemiology has challenged 3 prevailing concepts about atopic dermatitis

Williams, Hywel and Flohr, Carsten (2006) How epidemiology has challenged 3 prevailing concepts about atopic dermatitis. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 118 . pp. 209-213. ISSN 0091-6749

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Abstract

We challenge 3 prevailing concepts in understanding atopic

dermatitis using data from epidemiologic studies. First, we

show that although atopy is associated with atopic dermatitis to

some degree, its importance is not likely to be a simple causeand-

effect relationship, especially at a population level. Our

epidemiologic data do not exclude a contributory role for IgEmediated

immunologic processes, especially in those with

existing and severe disease. Second, evidence is presented that

does not support a straightforward inverse relationship

between infections and atopic dermatitis risk. A link, if present,

is likely to be more complex, depending critically on the timing

and type of infectious exposure. Third, recent evidence suggests

that the risk of subsequent childhood asthma is not increased in

children with early atopic dermatitis who are not also early

wheezers, suggesting a comanifestation of phenotypes rather

than a progressive atopic march. Collectively, these

observations underline the importance of epidemiologic studies

conducted at a population level to gain a more balanced

understanding of the enigma of atopic dermatitis.

Item Type: Article
RIS ID: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1019760
Schools/Departments: University of Nottingham, UK > Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Medicine
Depositing User: attreed, karen
Date Deposited: 08 Apr 2008 12:38
Last Modified: 04 May 2020 20:30
URI: https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/861

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