How epidemiology has challenged 3 prevailing concepts about atopic dermatitis

We challenge 3 prevailing concepts in understanding atopic dermatitis using data from epidemiologic studies. First, we show that although atopy is associated with atopic dermatitis to some degree, its importance is not likely to be a simple causeand- effect relationship, especially at a populati...

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Main Authors: Williams, Hywel, Flohr, Carsten
Format: Article
Published: Elsevier 2006
Online Access:https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/861/
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author Williams, Hywel
Flohr, Carsten
author_facet Williams, Hywel
Flohr, Carsten
author_sort Williams, Hywel
building Nottingham Research Data Repository
collection Online Access
description We challenge 3 prevailing concepts in understanding atopic dermatitis using data from epidemiologic studies. First, we show that although atopy is associated with atopic dermatitis to some degree, its importance is not likely to be a simple causeand- effect relationship, especially at a population level. Our epidemiologic data do not exclude a contributory role for IgEmediated immunologic processes, especially in those with existing and severe disease. Second, evidence is presented that does not support a straightforward inverse relationship between infections and atopic dermatitis risk. A link, if present, is likely to be more complex, depending critically on the timing and type of infectious exposure. Third, recent evidence suggests that the risk of subsequent childhood asthma is not increased in children with early atopic dermatitis who are not also early wheezers, suggesting a comanifestation of phenotypes rather than a progressive atopic march. Collectively, these observations underline the importance of epidemiologic studies conducted at a population level to gain a more balanced understanding of the enigma of atopic dermatitis.
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spelling nottingham-8612020-05-04T20:30:26Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/861/ How epidemiology has challenged 3 prevailing concepts about atopic dermatitis Williams, Hywel Flohr, Carsten We challenge 3 prevailing concepts in understanding atopic dermatitis using data from epidemiologic studies. First, we show that although atopy is associated with atopic dermatitis to some degree, its importance is not likely to be a simple causeand- effect relationship, especially at a population level. Our epidemiologic data do not exclude a contributory role for IgEmediated immunologic processes, especially in those with existing and severe disease. Second, evidence is presented that does not support a straightforward inverse relationship between infections and atopic dermatitis risk. A link, if present, is likely to be more complex, depending critically on the timing and type of infectious exposure. Third, recent evidence suggests that the risk of subsequent childhood asthma is not increased in children with early atopic dermatitis who are not also early wheezers, suggesting a comanifestation of phenotypes rather than a progressive atopic march. Collectively, these observations underline the importance of epidemiologic studies conducted at a population level to gain a more balanced understanding of the enigma of atopic dermatitis. Elsevier 2006 Article PeerReviewed Williams, Hywel and Flohr, Carsten (2006) How epidemiology has challenged 3 prevailing concepts about atopic dermatitis. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 118 . pp. 209-213. ISSN 0091-6749
spellingShingle Williams, Hywel
Flohr, Carsten
How epidemiology has challenged 3 prevailing concepts about atopic dermatitis
title How epidemiology has challenged 3 prevailing concepts about atopic dermatitis
title_full How epidemiology has challenged 3 prevailing concepts about atopic dermatitis
title_fullStr How epidemiology has challenged 3 prevailing concepts about atopic dermatitis
title_full_unstemmed How epidemiology has challenged 3 prevailing concepts about atopic dermatitis
title_short How epidemiology has challenged 3 prevailing concepts about atopic dermatitis
title_sort how epidemiology has challenged 3 prevailing concepts about atopic dermatitis
url https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/861/