Cardiovascular risk among middle-aged Japanese adults with atopic dermatitis: A nested case-control study

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Cardiology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Rising prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) prompts investigation into potential links with cardiovascular disease (CVD).
• Concerns exist regarding specific cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention strategies for individuals with atopic dermatitis (AD).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between atopic dermatitis (AD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in middle-aged adults.
• To determine if AD prevalence or severity impacts CVD risk.

Main Methods:

• Nested case-control study using claims data (April 2013-March 2023) of individuals aged 40-59.
• Cases: first-onset CVD (ischemic heart disease or stroke); Controls: no CVD history.
• AD defined by ICD-10 code (L20) plus topical corticosteroid prescription; 10 controls matched per case.

Main Results:

• No significant association found between atopic dermatitis (AD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk (OR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.69-1.16).
• AD severity, including topical corticosteroid (TCS) dose and systemic treatment, was not linked to increased CVD risk.
• Potential misclassification of AD status due to claims data limitations was noted.

Conclusions:

• Atopic dermatitis (AD) is not significantly associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in adults aged 40-59.
• Targeted CVD screening for AD patients may not be necessary.
• Comprehensive management of standard CVD risk factors remains crucial for all individuals.