Epidemiological Features of Preschool Childhood Atopic Dermatitis in Incheon.
- Author:
Hye Young LEE
1
;
Jong Rok LEE
;
Joo Young ROH
Author Information
1. Department of Dermatology, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Incheon, Korea. jyroh1@gilhospital.com
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Atopic dermatitis;
Environmental factor;
Epidemiology;
Preschool children
- MeSH:
Air Pollution;
Child, Preschool;
China;
Dermatitis, Atopic;
Dust;
Housing;
Humans;
Korea;
Life Style;
Prevalence;
Skin;
Skin Diseases;
Surveys and Questionnaires
- From:Korean Journal of Dermatology
2009;47(2):164-171
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin disease with a genetic and environmental background. Recently, a marked rise in the prevalence of AD has been observed. Current epidemiological research is largely focused on identifying environmental factors associated with AD; however, little is known about the factors affecting the disease severity in Korean childhood AD. The city of Incheon is a large harbor city, notorious for air pollution caused mainly by industry and the yellow dust that blows in from China. The environmental peculiarities of Incheon may play a critical role in AD expression. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the epidemiologic characteristics of preschool childhood AD patients and the correlation between environmental factors and its prevalence or severity in Incheon. METHODS: This study was carried out among 2523 preschool children from May to July, 2007. It was based on a questionnaire covering their clinical manifestations, environment, and lifestyle. Two dermatologists examined the skin and evaluated the severity of AD using the SCORAD index. RESULTS: The prevalence of AD among preschool children in Incheon was 18.8% (475 AD patients) which was higher than the overall prevalence in Korea (6.16~11.2%). There were statistical differences in the SCORAD index between heavily industrialized areas and residential housing areas in Incheon (p=0.012). CONCLUSION: Theses results suggest that environmental factors may affect the prevalence and severity of atopic dermatitis.
