Atopic diseases by filaggrin mutations and birth year

The prevalence of atopic disorders has increased in recent years. The pathogenesis is complex with genetic and environmental risk factors. Filaggrin loss-of-function mutations are common and associated with atopic disorders. We investigated whether the prevalence of filaggrin mutations increased in different birth cohorts in adults from the general population in Denmark.

Cross-sectional questionnaire and filaggrin gene mutation (R501X and 2282del4) data from 3335 18- to 69-year-old adults were available for analyses.

The effect of filaggrin mutations on the prevalence of atopic diseases, albeit not statistically significant, depended mostly on birth year for atopic dermatitis (AD). A nonsignificant increase in the prevalence of filaggrin mutations was noted across birth year groups reporting AD, with 12.9% in adults born in 1936-1949 and 19.0% born in 1976-1988.

If confirmed in other populations, the observed increase suggests that mutation carriers have been more susceptible to environmental changes accentuating the rise in AD prevalence.