Childhood atopic dermatitis is associated with cardiovascular risk factors in young adulthood-A population-based...

Studies have indicated that atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, data are conflicting. Furthermore, the longitudinal effect of childhood AD on cardiovascular risk factors in young adulthood is less investigated.

To assess associations between AD in childhood and CVD risk factors in young adulthood.

The study encompasses longitudinal data from a population-based birth cohort. Participants with data up to age 24 years were included (n = 2270). The primary outcomes were body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), body fat per cent (BF%) and blood pressure (BP) at 24 years. The secondary outcome was blood lipids. Severe AD was defined as AD in combination with sleep disturbance due to itching.

In total, 18.6% (n = 420) had AD at 24 years. Males with AD had higher BMI (β_Adj. 0.81, 95% CI 0.15-1.47), BF% (β_Adj. 1.19, 95% CI 0.09-2.29), systolic BP (β_Adj. 1.92, 95% CI 0.02-3.82), total cholesterol (β_Adj. 0.14, 95% CI 0.00-0.28) and LDL cholesterol (β_Adj. 0.15, 95% CI 0.02-0.27) compared with males without AD. No associations were seen in females. Current AD with prepubertal onset was associated with increased BMI in both males (β_Adj. 0.89, 95% CI 0.11-1.67) and females (β_Adj. 0.72, 95% CI 0.11-1.33). At 24 years, 23.1% (n = 97) of all with AD, had severe disease, which was significantly associated with overweight in both sexes, with BMI (β_Adj. 1.83, 95% CI 0.72-2.94), WC (β_Adj. 4.03, 95% CI 1.54-6.52) and BF% (β_Adj. 2.49, 95% CI 0.60-4.39) in females and with BF% (β_Adj. 2.96, 95% CI 0.23-5.69) in males, compared with peers with mild to moderate AD.

AD in males appears to be associated with CVD risk factors in young adulthood. The duration and severity of AD seem to be of importance in both sexes.