Association of atopic dermatitis with thyroid diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) and thyroid diseases share features of immune dysregulation, but their association has not yet been comprehensively analyzed. We aimed to systematically investigate the association of AD with thyroid diseases. A systematic review and random-effects model meta-analysis of observational studies was conducted. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and CENTRAL for relevant studies until April 12, 2024. The risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. A subgroup analysis based on age was performed. Twelve observational studies with 93,547,813 subjects were included. The meta-analysis of ten case-control studies revealed significant association of AD with prevalent thyroid diseases (odds ratio [OR]1.48; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.17-1.88), including Hashimoto disease (OR 2.13; 95% CI 1.33-3.43) and Graves' disease (OR 1.56; 95% CI 1.03-2.37). Pediatric patients exhibited a stronger association (OR 1.88; 95% CI 1.48-2.37) than adults (OR 1.34; 95% CI 1.00-1.80). Two cohort studies demonstrated that AD patients had increased risks of incident thyroid diseases (incidence risk ratio 1.13; 95% CI 1.05-1.22) and Hashimoto disease (hazard ratio 1.17; 95% CI 1.09-1.25). In conclusion, AD is associated with thyroid diseases, notably in pediatric patients, warranting endocrinological consultation and early intervention to mitigate potential impacts on growth and cognitive development.