Report of ADRG: A study on triggering factors in Korean adult atopic dermatitis through questionnaire

Abstract

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) has been known as one of the multifactorial diseases, which has the genetic background and environmental factors at the same time. Many triggering factors such as perspiration, irritants, aeroallergens, stress, and climatologic factors have been reported to influence the development of this disease. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to find the triggering factors and to compare these factors among Korean adult AD patients, high risk groups of AD and normal control subjects. Methods: During open lectures on AD to the common people, we surveyed the questionnaire of nineteen well-known triggering factors to the audience; and analyzed the data according to Korean adult AD patients (121), high risk groups of AD (65) and normal control subjects (34). We classified these triggering factors as four groups, such as endogenous triggering factors, exogenous irritants, aeroallergens and others. Results: AD patients had allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis and allergic asthma at the same time in decreasing order of frequency. Over 50% of AD patients had other AD patients in their families. Among endogenous triggering factors, xerosis and emotional stress were very significant (both p<0.0005) in AD patients. Of exogenous irritants, warm temperature or perspiration, scratching, wool fiber, lipid solvent, and disinfectant showed significance in AD patients. Of these exogenous irritants, especially, warm temperature or perspiration, scratching, and wool fiber were very significant (all p<0.0005) in AD patients, and at the same time warm temperature or perspiration, and wool fiber were also significant (both p<0.05) in high risk groups. In aeroallergens, house dust or dust mites, and pollen had the statistical significance in AD patients. Pollen was very significant (p<0.0005) in AD patients and also significant (p<0.05) in high risk groups. Among other factors, sun light, spicy meals or alcoholic beverages, and insect bite were significant (all p<0.05) in AD patients. Conclusions: According to the questionnaire, we identified 12 aggravating factors of AD. These were xerosis, emotional stress, warm temperature or perspiration, scratching, wool fiber, lipid solvent, disinfectant, house dust or dust mites, pollen, sun light, spicy meals or alcoholic beverages, and insect bite. Six out of these factors, e.g., xerosis, emotional stress, warm temperature or perspiration, scratching, wool fiber, and pollen were very significant in AD patients. Three out of these six factors including warm temperature or perspiration, wool fiber, and pollen were also significant in high risk groups. We could not identify any significance among dwelling areas, academic backgrounds or occupations, and AD.