PURPOSE: Atopic dermatitis is the most common chronic inflammatory skin disease in children. However, the role of allergy in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis is still controversial. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of antigen sensitization and development of respiratory allergy disease on severity of atopic dermatitis. METHODS: 211 children with atopic dermatitis were monitored for 2-3 years and classified into three groups: mild, moderate, severe. The severity of atopic dermatitis was compared with antigen sensitization identified by MAST CLA Korea Panel and development of respiratory allergy disease; such as asthma and allergic rhinitis. RESULTS: The frequency of mild, moderate, severe atopic dermatitis was respectively, 38.4%, 33.6%, 28.0%. Food sensitization was significantly higher in patients under 4 years old and aeroallergen sensitization was higher in patients above 5 years old. There was a good correlation between the severity of atopic dermatitis and food sensitization but not in aeroallergen. There was no significant association the severity of atopic dermatitis and development of respiratory allergy disease. CONCLUSION: This result suggests that the sensitization to food allergen is associated with the severity of atopic dermatitis, but sensitization to aeroallergen and development of respiratory allergy disease are not correlated. The restriction of sensitized diets might be helpful in management of atopic dermatitis.
Asthma ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Diet ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity* ; Korea ; Rhinitis ; Skin Diseases