Prevalence of Atopic Dermatitis among Korean Adults Visiting Health Service Center of the Catholic Medical Center in Seoul Metropolitan Area, Korea

The point prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) among Korean adults visiting the Health Service Center for health check-ups was assessed. AD was diagnosed based on the questionnaires filled by patients and through physical examination by dermatologists. A total of 3,563 persons completed the questionnaires, and 2,032 persons were examined by the dermatologists. According to the questionnaires, the prevalence of AD was 7.1%, and from the dermatologists' examination, it was 2.6% overall, which decreased with age significantly. The prevalence in men was higher than that of women. Grading the severity of AD according to their eczema area and severity index scores, 70.6% were classified as being mild, 25.5% moderate, and 3.9% severe. Interestingly, concomitance of psoriasis and AD was found in 0.5% of those examined by the dermatologists. Our results suggest that AD is one of the most common skin diseases not only in children but also in adults in Korea

Association of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor Polymorphisms with Total Plasma IgE Levels in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis in Korea.

The macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) gene is located on human chromosome 22q11.2 and is linked to atopic phenotypes. Plasma MIF and log [total IgE] levels are significantly elevated in atopic dermatitis (AD) patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between two MIF polymorphisms, -173 G to C and -794 CATT5-8, and total plasma IgE levels in AD patients in Korea. We performed PCR-RFLP analysis in 178 AD patients and 80 control subjects to determine whether MIF SNPs are associated with susceptibility to AD. Plasma total IgE and MIF levels were determined, and then logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the associations between a SNP or haplotype and plasma total IgE or MIF levels. The -173 G/C polymorphism, located in the MIF promoter, was significantly associated with AD; the odds ratios (ORs) for the CC homozygotes and GC heterozygotes were 9.3 and 2.5, respectively. The MIF C/5-CATT and the MIF C/7-CATT haplotypes were significantly associated with AD; the ORs for the MIF C/5-CATT and MIF C/7-CATT haplotypes were 9.7 and 4.5, respectively. Log [total IgE] levels were highly associated with the MIF -794 7-CATT polymorphism. Notably, the MIF C/7-CATT haplotype was associated with a decrease in plasma log [total IgE] levels in a gene dose-dependent manner. Although log [MIF] levels were not associated with the MIF polymorphisms, the frequencies of the MIF C/5-CATT haplotype-containing genotypes decreased in order of MIF levels. Our results demonstrate that MIF promoter polymorphisms in the -173 C allele and the MIF C/5-CATT and C/7-CATT haplotypes were significantly associated with an increased risk for AD. In particular, the -794 7-CATT locus and the MIF C/7-CATT haplotype were significantly associated with decreased total IgE levels in the plasma, suggesting that these polymorphisms might be a marker for intrinsic AD rather than extrinsic AD that shows high total IgE levels and presence of allergen-specific IgE

Patch-test results using Korean standard series: a 5-year retrospective review

Background: There have been few studies regarding the results of the Korean standard patch test. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze the type and frequency of common contact allergens in Korea and to compare the results with those of previous reports. Methods: From June 2009 to June 2014, 330 patients with suspected allergic contact dermatitis who visited our clinic were tested using the Korean standard patch test. Results: The highest sensitization rate was found for nickel sulfate (47.58%). There was a significant gender difference in the prevalence of sensitization to nickel sulfate (OR = 2.41, p = .0004) and wool alcohol (OR = 2.85, p = .0358). Higher sensitization to nickel sulfate (OR = 1.18, p = .0159), 4-phenylenediamine (OR = 1.23, p= .003), tixocortol-21-pivalte (OR 1.48, p = .0212) and lower sensitization to thimerosal (OR = 0.77, p = .0023) were associated with increasing age. Patients with allergic contact dermatitis on the scalp had a significantly higher risk of sensitization to 4-phenylenediamine (OR = 3.07, p = .0013). Patients with allergic contact dermatitis on the hands had significantly higher risks of sensitization to wool alcohol (OR = 3.44, p = .0083), formaldehyde (OR = 2.52, p = .0178), and colophony (OR = 2.05, p = .0499). Conclusions: These results demonstrate trends in patch test results in Korea and the basis for the presumption of the route of allergen exposure

Impact of the <i>MIF</i> –173G/C and –794 [CATT]_5–8 polymorphisms [OR (95% CI)] on atopic dermatitis.

<p>Impact of the <i>MIF</i> –173G/C and –794 [CATT]_5–8 polymorphisms [OR (95% CI)] on atopic dermatitis.</p

Regression analysis for age- and sex-adjusted log [total IgE] with <i>MIF</i> polymorphisms among patients with atopic dermatitis.

<p>Regression analysis for age- and sex-adjusted log [total IgE] with <i>MIF</i> polymorphisms among patients with atopic dermatitis.</p

Regression analysis for age- and sex-adjusted log [MIF] levels with the <i>MIF</i> polymorphisms in patients with atopic dermatitis.

<p>Regression analysis for age- and sex-adjusted log [MIF] levels with the <i>MIF</i> polymorphisms in patients with atopic dermatitis.</p