Epidemiological Features of Preschool Childhood Atopic Dermatitis in Incheon

Lee, Hye Young; Lee, Jong Rok; Roh, Joo Young

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.