[Nutritional status of adult patients with atopic dermatitis]

Many atopic dermatitis (AD) patients follow elimination diets for long periods of time because of true or--even more often--suspected food allergies or hypersensitivities. In the present study we investigated the nutritional status of adult AD patients by evaluating food intake protocols followed by measuring different serum parameters. Evaluation of the food intake protocols over 3 days (n = 47) showed that the total calorie intake met recommended intake in 12 patients (group A), ranged between 75-100% of the requirements in 23 patients (group B) and was 50-75% in 12 patients (group C). The relative intake of different nutritional factors approached normal limits in group A and B; the intake of several of these factors was significantly decreased in group C. Various serum parameters in group C patients were different from those found in patients suffering from other chronic skin diseases. Taken together, our results show that a subgroup of AD patients have dietary habits which result in significant nutritional deficiency which are important for homeostasis. This indicates the necessity of professional guidance in these patients in order to only eliminate foods which have been proven to elicit adverse reactions by oral provocation tests.