Abstract :
Background: Atopic dermatitis is a chronic relapsing disease of the skin, common in infants and children. Defects in the function of skin barrier, reoccurring skin infections and allergen sensitization are associated. Features: itch, rash on extensors and face, lichenification in flexures, family or personal history of atopic diseases. In this study, the relation between severity of AD, serum IgE levels & AEC in blood is found out.
Materials and Methods: Our case control study was done in the Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy, Shadan Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad from October 2019-October 2020. A total of 50 patients, of all age groups, with atopic dermatitis visiting the hospital were enrolled. 50 age matched healthy controls were also included.
Inclusion criteria: Age range: 6 months to 40 years.
Exclusion criteria: Patients receiving any systemic drug (homeopathic, ayurvedic, unani and allopathic),oral contraceptives, hormonal therapies. Patients who are immunocompromised, pregnant, lactating, with cancer, systemic and autoimmune diseases
Method: A thorough clinical history inclusive of age of onset, personal and family history of atopic diseases, duration of illness is taken. Physical examination was done to find the severity (SCORAD index) and the body surface area involved (Wallace’s Rule of Nine). Blood tests were done to find the AEC values and IgE levels in each patient.
Result: The onset of disease was seen in patients from 4 months of age to 20 years with an average of 4.8 years. Out of the 50 patients in the study, males and females were 19 and 31 respectively. In patients with AD, the mean AEC was 673 and the mean IgE levels were 301.9 whereas in controls, it was 125 and 31 respectively. Thus, the laboratory workup showed raised values in majority patients with AD.
Conclusion: The study showed that AEC and serum IgE levels had a correlation with the severity of atopic dermatitis. History of allergic rhinitis was found to be significantly associated with these parameters in the patients.
Keyword :
Atopic dermatitis absolute eosinophil count serum IgE.