Atopic dermatitis in Israeli adolescents - a large retrospective cohort study

Prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) has been studied mainly in infants and young children. Surveys on AD in adolescents and adults are based largely on self-reported questionnaires and cohorts of different ages, precluding meaningful comparisons and conclusions. We aimed to provide data on the prevalence of AD and its relation to demographic factors in adolescents. A large database of youths eligible for military service was searched for subjects one year before service at the age of 18. Parameters included country of origin, age of immigration to Israel, education, and presence and severity of AD. AD rose 3-fold for both genders over the study period 1998-2008 (0.4-1%). The increase was higher in females (0.5-1.2%) than males (0.3-0.9%). Mild and moderate disease was higher in females than males. Severe AD was rarely noted. Russian (OR = 1.47), Asian (OR = 1.15) and Euro-American (OR = 1.26) origins had highest association with AD. Immigrants after age 7 had higher association with AD than Israeli-born subjects and immigrants before age 7 (1.88 vs. 1.33). More years of education was significantly associated with high prevalence of AD. The increased prevalence of AD during the 11-year period underscores the need for awareness of the condition in this population, in which AD affects health and quality of life.