Abstract :
Introduction: The main features of atopic dermatitis or eczema are skin barrier disturbance and immune
dysregulation. Milder form of Atopic dermatitis (AD) is reported to occur in India. There is demonstrable
association between Serum IgE and AD.
Aim: To find out the clinical pattern of AD cases and to determine Serum IgE levels.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study done among 80 subjects (50 cases and 30 controls)
in Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy (DVL) outpatient department (OPD) of KIMS,
Hospital, Hubli, Karnataka. AD cases and controls were selected as per the Hanifin and Rajka’s criteria and
Serum IgE levels was as per the Clinical and Laboratory standards 2008.
Statistical analysis: Collected data was analysed for frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation,
Chisquare test and Karl- Pearsons Correlation coefficient.
Results: Twenty two (44%) cases had elevated IgE levels. The mean IgE in AD cases was
186.78170.50IU and in controls were 24.719.3IU. The association between less than 2 years age and
increase in IgE levels among AD cases was statistically significant (p group presented with lesions commonly on the face and extensors of extremities (83.4%), whereas children
between 2-12 years and above mostly had lesions on flexor aspect of their extremities.
Conclusion: IgE levels were higher among younger children compared to older children and adults and
the commonly involved areas are face and extensors in young children. So IgE levels may be helpful as a
predictor of atopic dermatitis in less than 2 years age group.
Keyword :
Atopic dermatitis, Eczema, IgE level, Atopy.