Correlation between socio-economic status and atopic dermatitis in Korean adults: the Korea national health and nutrition examination survey (2007-2014)

Abstract

Introduction Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most common allergic diseases. Its prevalence has been increasing in recent decades. Socio-economic status is well-known risk factor of allergic diseases. Objective This study was performed to investigate the relationship between socio-economic status and AD in Korean adults. Methods Data were acquired from 47 351 men and women, >= 19 years of age who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (KNHANES) conducted from 2007 to 2014. The presence of AD was based on self-reported physician diagnosis of AD in the Health Interview Surveys. Results The prevalence of AD was 3.1%, which decreased with increasing age. In univariate analysis, adults with AD were prone to be female, younger, never-married, well educated, lower household members, and urban dwelling (all P < 0.01). Monthly family income and smoking status were not associated with the presence of AD. The prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and asthma was higher in AD subjects (all P < 0.01), while obesity was not associated with adult AD. After adjusting for confounders, logistic regression analysis showed female sex (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.483, 95% CI: 1.268-1.734), age (P < 0.01), marital status (Single: aOR: 1.307, 95% CI: 1.012-1.690; Never-married: aOR: 1.938, 95% CI: 1.513-2.482), urban residence (aOR: 1.281, 95% CI: 1.045-1.569) and asthma (aOR: 1.788, 95% CI: 1.416-2.258) were associated with higher prevalence of AD (all P < 0.01). Conclusion Female sex, age, marital status, urban residence, and the presence of asthma are important risk factors of the prevalence of AD in Korean adults.