Publication:

Atopic dermatitis and its association with serum immunoglobulin E levels: our experience in KVG medical college and hospital, Karnataka

Background Eczema is an inflammatory skin reaction which presents as acute, subacute and chronic forms. Eczemas persisting for more than 6 weeks or characterized by thickening and discoloration of skin is typical of chronic eczema. Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a type of chronic or chronically relapsing eczematous skin disorder. To determine the percentage of AD in all forms of chronic eczema by using HRC. We also estimated serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels and determined its correlation with chronic eczemas and with various clinical parameters of HRC.

Methods A total of 50 patients with chronic eczema meeting defined inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled in this cross-sectional study after taking an informed consent and approval of institutional ethical committee. All patients were subjected to a detailed history based on a questionnaire. A thorough clinical examination was done to determine all major and minor clinical parameters of HRC for AD. Blood samples were collected and AEC and total serum IgE levels were determined.

Results Most of our study patients were females (64%). Majority of males (77.7%) were farmers and majority of females (56.2%) were housewives assisting in fieldwork activities. Various causes of chronic eczema were clinically diagnosed AD (34%), chronic actinic dermatitis (8%), polymorphic light eruption (4%), airborne contact dermatitis (10%), phyto-photodermatitis (10%), chronic hand and/or foot eczema (16%) and seborrheic dermatitis (2%). Thirty-two patients (64%) satisfied HRC. Among all clinical parameters of HRC, pruritus and xerosis were the commonest in AD patients. Serum IgE level was raised in 58% of chronic eczema and 68.7% of AD patients.

Conclusions Serum IgE levels showed significant association with typical morphology and distribution of lesions, early age of onset and perifollicular accentuation.