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At least 991 records · Page 55Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Large increase of Langerhans cells in human skin lymph derived from irritant contact dermatitis.

In order to monitor the kinetics of Langerhans cells in the afferent lymph during contact dermatitis, a superficial peripheral lymph vessel draining the skin of the upper and medial part of the foot was cannulated by means of microsurgery on the lower leg of four healthy volunteers. After 2 days an irritant contact dermatitis was induced by application of 10% sodium lauryl sulphate to the area of skin drained by the cannulated lymph vessel. Three days later the spontaneously regressing skin reaction was treated with clobetasol propionate in two of the subjects. Lymph was collected twice daily for 8 days. Langerhans cells were identified by immunofluorescence microscopy of cytocentrifuge slide preparations from the lymph, using a monoclonal anti-CD1a antibody. In the late phase of the contact dermatitis the output, i.e. both the absolute number and the percentage of Langerhans cells in the lymph dramatically increased. At the end of the experiment, when there were no remaining clinical signs of contact dermatitis, the Langerhans cell output still markedly exceeded the initial values. These results are the first direct evidence in humans that migration of Langerhans cells from the skin to the regional lymph nodes is a major feature of irritant contact dermatitis.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Elevated cyclic adenosine monophosphate phosphodiesterase activity in peripheral blood mononuclear leucocytes from children with atopic dermatitis.

We examined peripheral blood mononuclear leucocyte cyclic adenosine monophosphate phosphodiesterase (cAMP-PDE) activity in 80 children (aged 2-12 years) with atopic dermatitis. The enzyme activity (35.1 +/- 18.6 U) in children with atopic dermatitis was significantly higher than that (19.1 +/- 12.6 U) in age-matched non-atopic controls. There was no significant difference in the cAMP-PDE activity between children with mild atopic dermatitis and children with severe atopic dermatitis. These findings support the view that elevation of peripheral mononuclear leucocyte cAMP-PDE activity in patients with atopic dermatitis is a gene-associated abnormality.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗
PubMed1995

Successful treatment and prophylaxis of scalp seborrhoeic dermatitis and dandruff with 2% ketoconazole shampoo: results of a multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Pityrosporum ovale appears to play an important role in the pathogenesis of seborrhoeic dermatitis. Ketoconazole is an antimycotic agent with a high in vitro and in vivo efficacy against P. ovale. We performed a multicentre study to investigate the efficacy of ketoconazole 2% shampoo in the treatment and prophylaxis of seborrhoeic dermatitis and dandruff. Five hundred and seventy-five patients presenting with moderate to severe seborrhoeic dermatitis and dandruff of the scalp were treated with 2% ketoconazole shampoo twice weekly for 2-4 weeks, producing an excellent response in 88%. Of those patients who responded, 312 were included in a prophylactic phase, lasting 6 months. These patients were treated with the active preparation (shampoo containing 2% ketoconazole) once-weekly, once every other week, alternating with placebo (shampoo without ketoconazole), or with placebo only once-weekly. Forty-eight (47%) patients in the placebo group experienced a relapse of seborrhoeic dermatitis, compared with 23 (19%) patients in the active treatment group, and 31 (31%) patients in the active/placebo group. The medication was well tolerated in all three groups. We conclude that ketoconazole 2% shampoo is highly effective, not only in clearing scalp seborrhoeic dermatitis and dandruff, but also in preventing relapse of the disease when used prophylactically once weekly.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Validation of the Eczema Area and Severity Index for atopic dermatitis in a cohort of 1550 patients from the pimecrolimus cream 1% randomized controlled clinical trials programme.

OBJECTIVE: To validate the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) by assessing its internal consistency, reliability and sensitivity to change and by correlating it to other efficacy parameters. DESIGN: Three short-term and two long-term double-blind, randomized, controlled trials, performed in 138 study centres in Europe, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and North and South America. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In total, 1550 paediatric patients with atopic dermatitis were studied. Pimecrolimus cream 1% was used twice daily to treat atopic dermatitis. The three short-term studies were placebo controlled. The two long-term studies evaluated the efficacy and safety of early intervention with pimecrolimus to prevent progression to disease flare requiring topical corticosteroid treatment, compared with reactive treatment with topical corticosteroids to treat flares of atopic dermatitis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Five parameters were measured: (i) the EASI (range of score 0-72); (ii) Investigators' Global Assessment (IGA), using a six-point (0-5) scale; (iii) patients' assessment, using a four-point (0-3) scale; (iv) severity of pruritus assessment, using a four-point (0-3) scale; and (v) a quality-of-life evaluation. RESULTS: The EASI score varied in parallel and in correlation with the IGA, pruritus and patients' assessment. All correlation coefficients were statistically different from 0 (P < 0.05). The EASI correlated well with each of its components, and all paired comparisons were within agreed limits. The EASI showed good sensitivity to changes in severity. CONCLUSION: In a large, multinational patient population with atopic dermatitis, the EASI showed good validity, reliability and sensitivity to change and correlated well with other measures of severity. It therefore qualifies as a valid method of assessment in clinical studies of atopic dermatitis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Vital role of the itch-scratch response in development of spontaneous dermatitis in NC/Nga mice.

BACKGROUND: The itch sensation and the resultant response, scratching, are important symptoms of atopic dermatitis (AD) and have a significant impact on the quality of life of affected patients. However, the influence of the itch-scratch response on the pathology of AD has not been precisely elucidated. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of scratching behaviour in the development of spontaneous dermatitis using conventionally raised NC/Nga mice (Conv-NC mice), which are known to be an animal model for human AD. METHODS: Capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves of the mice were ablated by neonatal capsaicin treatment (Cap-NC mice), and the development of spontaneous dermatitis in the Cap-NC mice was compared chronologically with that in Conv-NC mice. RESULTS: Scratching behaviour was almost completely prevented in Cap-NC mice raised for 84 days under conventional conditions, and the development of dermatitis and elevation of the serum IgE level were significantly suppressed. Histological analysis revealed that the numbers of infiltrating eosinophils and mast cells in the lesional skin of Cap-NC mice were lower than those in Conv-NC mice. Immunological studies showed that the capability of spleen T cells to produce both T-helper (Th) 1 (interferon-gamma) and Th2 [interleukin (IL)-5 and IL-13] cytokines was diminished in Cap-NC mice. Furthermore, serum levels of IL-18 were approximately twice higher in Conv-NC mice than in Cap-NC mice. CONCLUSIONS: These observations suggest that scratching behaviour contributes to the development of dermatitis by enhancing various immunological responses in the murine AD model, implying that prevention of the itch sensation and/or itch-associated scratching behaviour is an effective treatment for AD.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

A method to induce stable atopic dermatitis-like symptoms in NC/Nga mice housed with skin-lesioned mice.

BACKGROUND: Itching is a characteristic symptom in various forms of dermatosis, especially atopic dermatitis; consequently it is a major diagnostic criterion. All features are similar to events seen in patients, hence NC/Nga mice are considered to be a suitable model of human atopic dermatitis. However, there were data spreads in commencing time and the degree of skin lesions in NC/Nga mice. OBJECTIVES: In the present study, we attempted to improve experimental conditions to induce stable skin lesions and to establish a more appropriate method. Methods NC/Nga mice were kept together with skin-lesioned mice during the experiment period (mixed-NC mice). The dermatitis scores of face, ears and rostral back were assessed. Scratching behaviour was measured using an apparatus, MicroAct (Neuroscience, Tokyo, Japan). Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and serum total IgE levels were also measured. To observe the presence of mites, the skin of the rostral backs of the mixed-NC mice was stripped using cellulose tape. We also investigated the effects of fipronil (Wako, Osaka, Japan), an acaricidal compound, on skin lesions and scratching behaviour of these mixed-NC mice. RESULTS: In mixed-NC mice, skin lesions appeared from 2 weeks, worsened gradually and reached peak levels of a dermatitis score in 8 weeks. Scratching behaviour increased significantly from day 3. TEWL also increased from day 3, but total IgE increased from day 7. Mites were observed on the rostral backs of mixed-NC mice from day 3, and all mice had these mites on day 28. Giving pretreatment with fipronil (Wako), the skin lesions and scratching behaviour of mixed-NC mice was significantly suppressed. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present study suggest that the method of being kept together with skin-lesioned mice can induce stable skin lesions and scratching behaviour at an early stage, without skin lesions. This method could help investigate a more stable evaluation of the effects on symptoms of atopic dermatitis, and mechanisms of the itching. It was considered that parasitism of mites, not allergic reactions, was the pathogenesis of skin lesions and scratching behaviour in mixed-NC mice.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Treatment of infantile atopic dermatitis with a strict elimination diet.

Of twenty-one infants with atopic dermatitis, twenty were treated with a strict elimination diet for a period of up to 6 weeks. Seven infants healed and twelve improved. The infants who healed were less than 6 months old and had had a short duration of dermatitis. For one infant the skin condition was unchanged. Another infant was breast-fed throughout the period with dermatitis. Blood eosinophilia and/or elevated serum IgE commonly found on admission decreased significantly (P less than 0.01) during the diet period. On challenge with cows' milk, twelve infants were considered as intolerant. At the age of 2 years the dermatitis had cleared in all but four children. Of these four children, two were still cows' milk intolerant. Another two infants were also cows' milk intolerant, but without dermatitis.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity in atopic dermatitis.

The infiltration by basophils into delayed hypersensitivity skin test sites was examined in patients with atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis and in normal healthy persons. Atopic dermatitis patients, with large amounts of IgE, injected intradermally with staphylococcal antigens showed reactions that were more transient and erythematous than those of normal persons. On histological examination there were numerous, degranulating basophils among the perivascular mononuclear cells. Normal persons, with small amounts of IgE showed typical mononuclear cell infiltration and few basophils. Patients with contact dermatitis, one with much IgE, responded to patch tests to potassium dichromate or to nickel sulphate by delayed type reactions, but on histology, two of the four patients showed a significant infiltration by basophils. It is considered that the erythematous response to the antigen in atopic dermatitis patients is related to the basophil infiltration.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Perinatal risk factors for sensitization, atopic dermatitis and wheezing during the first year of life (PIPO study).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of perinatal environmental factors on early sensitization, atopic dermatitis and wheezing during the first year. METHODS: Information on pregnancy-related factors, parental atopic history, environmental factors and the clinical course of the infant until age one was gathered by questionnaires, as part of a prospective birth cohort study (Prospective study on the Influence of Perinatal factors on the Occurrence of asthma and allergies [PIPO-study]). Quantification of total and specific IgE was performed in 810 children and their parents. RESULTS: Early sensitization was found in 107/810 (13%) of the infants. Multiple regression analysis showed that specific IgE in fathers was a risk factor for early sensitization in their daughters (adjusted odds ratios (OR(adj)) 2.21 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.10-4.49); P=0.03), whereas in boys, day care attendance was shown to be protective for early sensitization (OR(adj) 0.38 (95% CI 0.20-0.71); P=0.001). Atopic dermatitis occurred in 195/792 infants (25%). Specific IgE in the mother (OR(adj) 1.52 (95% CI 1.06-2.19); P=0.02) and in the infant (OR(adj) 4.20 (95% CI 2.63-6.68); P<0.001) were both risk factors for the occurence of atopic dermatitis, whereas postnatal exposure to cats was negatively associated with atopic dermatitis (OR(adj) 0.68 (0.47-0.97); P=0.03). Postnatal exposure to cigarette smoke (OR(adj) 3.31 (95% CI 1.79-6.09); P<0.001) and day care attendance (OR(adj) 1.96 (95% CI 1.18-3.23); P=0.009) were significantly associated with early wheezing, which occurred in 25% (197/795) of the infants. CONCLUSION: The effect of paternal sensitization and day care attendance on sensitization is gender dependent. Maternal sensitization predisposes for atopic dermatitis, whereas postnatal exposure to cats had a protective effect.

Allergens↗
PubMed1991

An immunological study in patients with seborrhoeic dermatitis.

The humoral and cellular immune-status was studied in 30 patients with seborrhoeic dermatitis. Increased frequencies of natural killer cells were found in 46% of patients. Furthermore, subnormal mitogen stimulation responses were demonstrated in 13 patients, whereas two individuals were found to have very high numbers of activated T lymphocytes in peripheral blood. Higher-than-normal total serum IgG and IgA was observed in 14 and 11 patients, respectively. For nine of 12 patients with skin lesions, dermal perivascular cell infiltrates were seen. The majority of the infiltrating cells reacted with anti-CD4 antibodies. HLA-DR-expressing keratinocytes were found in two biopsies. The study suggests that patients with seborrhoeic dermatitis may have depressed T-cell function. This could have a bearing on their susceptibility to the Pityrosporum ovale-associated dermatitis. The very high frequencies of activated T cells observed in the peripheral blood of two otherwise healthy seborrhoeic individuals suggests that intermittent systemic immune activation may occur. Seborrhoeic dermatitis is a common skin disease. It can be diagnosed by its characteristic red to yellow-brown lesions covered with greasy scales distributed in areas with a high number of sebaceous glands, such as the scalp, face and upper trunk. There is an association between seborrhoeic dermatitis and the lipophilic yeast Pityrosporum ovale but its exact aetiological role is not known. The yeast is a member of the normal cutaneous flora but also the aetiological agent of pityriasis versicolor and Pityrosporum folliculitis. P. ovale can activate complement via the direct and alternative pathways. This may play some part in the induction of inflammation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Atopy patch testing with aeroallergens in patients with atopic dermatitis and controls in Singapore.

The role of allergy in atopic dermatitis is controversial. The atopy patch test (APT) has been used to investigate the association between atopic dermatitis and aeroallergen allergy. To determine the proportion of patients with atopic dermatitis with positive patch tests to common local aeroallergens and to compare this to controls with and without respiratory atopy, we performed APT, skin-prick tests (SPT) and IgE radioallergosorbent tests (RAST) on 73 patients with atopic dermatitis and on 38 nonatopic controls (13 with and 25 without respiratory atopy). The allergens used were house dust mite, cat dander, Bermuda grass and German cockroach. Only the APT for house dust mite showed a significant difference between the two groups. APT for house dust mite correlated with the RAST test, while APT for cat fur correlated with the SPT. The APT may be useful to evaluate aeroallergens in atopic dermatitis, but further work is needed to make it more reliable.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Using the Dermatology Index of Disease Severity (DIDS) to assess the responsiveness of dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: The Dermatology Index of Disease Severity (DIDS) is designed as an instrument for staging severity of inflammatory dermatoses. It measures the therapeutic effectiveness and magnitude of clinical improvement in several types of dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis. When used in the Psoriasis Outcomes Study, it was simpler and easier than the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index. The reliability and validity of DIDS have already been established in our previous study. AIM: To test the responsiveness of the DIDS in patients with various types of dermatitis following treatment. METHODS: The DIDS was used to stage patients with dermatitis over time. In total, 142 patients with dermatitis were enrolled into the study. Only 55 patients completed the follow-ups on days 30 or 60, thus the data from these 55 patients only were analysed. The Wilcoxon signed rank test for paired comparisons was used to test for significance of shift in the individual's DIDS staging over the time period. RESULTS: 35 patients were seen on or close to day 30 after the initial visit, of whom 34 patients (76%) had an improvement of at least one stage on DIDS. There were 51 patients seen at or close to day 60, of whom 40 patients (78%) had an improvement of at least one stage on DIDS. The remaining 22-24% of patients did not improve, but neither did they worsen. The joint shift of each individual's DIDS staging from baseline to follow-up was statistically significant (P < 10(-5), two-sided t-test). CONCLUSION: The results of this study support the responsiveness of the DIDS for tracking severity of disease over time in patients with various types of dermatitis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2006

Analysis of GM-CSF gene polymorphisms (3606T/C and 3928C/T) in Japanese patients with atopic dermatitis.

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. To examine whether GM-CSF single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with susceptibility to atopic dermatitis, we investigated the genotype and allele frequencies of the SNPs 3606T/C and 3928C/T of the GM-CSF gene in 181 Japanese patients with atopic dermatitis and 100 controls, using a PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism method. A strong linkage disequilibrium existed between the polymorphisms 3606 and 3928, suggesting two common GM-CSF haplotypes, 3606*T-3928*C and 3606*C-3928*T. However, there was no significant difference in genotype or allele frequencies between patients with atopic dermatitis and controls for either of the two polymorphisms, thus GM-CSF SNPs do not appear to be associated with susceptibility to atopic dermatitis in Japanese patients. A large-scale study is necessary to confirm these findings.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Severe atopic dermatitis is associated with a reduced frequency of IL-10 producing allergen-specific CD4+ T cells.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have investigated levels of T-cell-derived interleukin (IL)-10 in individuals with atopic dermatitis, with conflicting results. AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: In order to address whether stratification of disease severity may help resolve the different findings, the hypothesis was tested that individuals with severe atopic dermatitis have a lower frequency of circulating IL-10-producing, allergen-specific CD4+ T cells than do individuals with mild disease. METHODS: Using peripheral blood mononuclear cells derived from individuals with severe (n=12) and mild atopic dermatitis (n=10) and from nonatopic controls (n=10), we investigated production by CD4+ T cells of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and IL-10 in response to phorbol myristate acetate/ionomycin and Der p1 allergen. RESULTS: It was observed that there were significantly higher frequencies of allergen-specific circulating CD4+ T cells producing TNF-alpha- IL-4-, IL-5- and IL-13, and lower frequencies of these cells producing IL-10 in individuals with severe atopic dermatitis compared with mildly affected individuals and nonatopic controls (P<0.01 for all comparisons). Furthermore, the Der p1-specific CD4+ T cells were enriched within the subset of cells positive for cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of levels of allergen-specific CD4+ T-cell production of IL-10 in relation to disease severity argues in favour of a role for IL-10 in the control of atopic dermatitis.

CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes↗
PubMed1994

Spontaneous expression of IL-4 mRNA in lymphocytes from children with atopic dermatitis.

Normal lymphocytes do not generally produce or secrete lymphokines in the resting or unstimulated state and only express or release cytokines following activation. Recently, the spontaneous production of intracellular interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and spontaneous secretion of IL-6 has been documented in patients with atopic dermatitis. These findings indicated that lymphocytes had been previously activated in vivo. Such in vivo activation may also be associated with spontaneous production of IL-4. As measurement of IL-4 secretion by immunoassay is complicated by poor sensitivity, and only provides information on the net amount of cytokine present after secretion, adsorption, consumption and degradation have occurred, IL-4 mRNA expression in peripheral blood lymphocytes from children with atopic dermatitis and controls was examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-assisted mRNA amplification. Spontaneous expression of IL-4 mRNA was detected in four of eight patients with severe atopic dermatitis. Following stimulation in vitro, seven of eight atopic patients demonstrated detectable IL-4 mRNA. In comparison, no spontaneous expression of IL-4 mRNA was found in controls, and only six of 10 controls expressed IL-4 mRNA in stimulated cultures. The spontaneous expression of IL-4 mRNA in unstimulated cultures from children with atopic dermatitis supports the possibility that previous in vivo activation has occurred, and suggests that IL-4 production is increased in vivo in atopic dermatitis. This in vivo activation together with the constitutive expression of IL-4 mRNA are likely to contribute to the spontaneous in vitro production of IgE in atopic patients.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2004

Potato tuber proteins efficiently inhibit human faecal proteolytic activity: implications for treatment of peri-anal dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Frequent diarrhoea after intestinal resections and faecal incontinence in healthy infants may lead to perianal injury. A causative agent may be a high concentration of pancreatic proteases in faeces. The aim of the present study was to assess whether protease inhibitors are applicable for treating and preventing peri-anal dermatitis by inhibiting the initial cause of the inflammation, the faecal proteases. DESIGN: Proteolytic activity was estimated in faeces of subjects frequently suffering from peri-anal dermatitis: patients with intestinal resections and healthy infants. The development of perianal dermatitis was studied after the construction of a reservoir with ileoanal anastomosis. The inhibitory effect of crude and partly purified potato juice on proteolytic activity of faecal output from patients with intestinal resections and healthy infants was investigated in vitro and in vivo (skin tests). RESULTS: Faecal protease activity in faeces from patients with intestinal resections and healthy infants was found to be significantly higher than in healthy adults. After the construction of an ileum reservoir, 46 of 48 patients developed a protease-related peri-anal dermatitis. The partly purified protein fraction from potatoes inhibited the larger part of faecal proteases in vitro and completely prevented skin irritation by pancreatic proteases dissolved in sterilized faecal fluid, in a 24-h skin test, on the back of healthy human volunteers. CONCLUSIONS: Potato proteins contain protease inhibitors, which suppress almost the complete proteolytic activity in faeces. Topical application of potato protease inhibitors might be a novel approach in preventing protease-induced peri-anal dermatitis, and therapeutic studies are needed to confirm our results.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗
PubMed1996

Allergic contact dermatitis: clinical features and profile of sensitizing allergens in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: No reports are available on allergic contact dermatitis in Saudi Arabia, although it seems to be a common skin problem. We attempted to explore certain clinical aspects in addition to the profile of sensitizing allergens in our area. As no standard panel for patch testing is available in our geographic region, we examined the suitability of the European Standard Series. METHODS: Patch testing was performed on 271 consecutive patients with various forms of dermititis, referred for evaluation of possible allergic contact dermatitis. The study included 147 women and 124 men. The patients were between 12 and 75 years of age. RESULTS: Out of 271 subjects, 152 (56.1%) showed one or more positive reactions. Of these, 80 (52.6%) were women and 72 (47.4%) were men. Almost one quarter of the patients (25.7%) presented with hand dermatitis. Positive reactions to 21 out of the 22 allergens were found. Sensitization was most common to nickel sulfate (39.5%), potassium dichromate (32.9%), and cobalt chloride (30.9%). Reactions to the other allergens ranged between 14.5% and 1.3%). Less than one percent of the patients (0.66%) reacted to benzocaine and showed no reaction to primin. CONCLUSIONS: Allergic contact dermatitis is a common skin problem in Saudi Arabia. Further studies that address the prevalence and incidence of the disease are indicated. The European Standard Series is suitable for patch testing patients in our community; however, we suggest exclusion of benzocaine and primin. The addition of three allergens of local relevance, black seed oil, local perfume mix, and henna, are presented and discussed. The formulation of a regional standard series for patch testing dermatitis patients in our geographic area requires further collaborative studies.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Prevalence of allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis among children in four regions of Finland.

The primary aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalences of allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis and their regional differences among Finnish children. The secondary objective was to determine whether the responses to the questions used are affected by the pollen season if asked during such a season. In 1994-5, the self-reported prevalence of allergic symptoms in four regions of Finland was studied among 11,607 schoolchildren aged 13-14 years, as part of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). The prevalence of rhinoconjunctivitis during the preceding year was 16% in eastern Finland (Kuopio County, n=2821), 23% in southern Finland (Helsinki area, n=2771), 15% in southwestern Finland (Turku and Pori County, n=2983), and 16% in northern Finland (Lapland, n=3032). The respective prevalences of flexural dermatitis were 15%, 19%, 16%, and 18%. The surveys were performed in winter, except in the Helsinki area where the survey was carried out mainly in the spring pollen season. Among the children studied in autumn in Helsinki, the prevalence of rhinoconjunctivitis was 19% and that of flexural dermatitis 17%. In multivariate analysis, flexural dermatitis was slightly more common in Lapland than in all other areas. In contrast, no significant differences were found in rhinoconjunctivitis. The prevalences of both disorders were twice as high in girls as in boys. In conclusion, regional differences in the prevalence of allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis were small in our country, and the prevalence figures were rather similar to those reported from other European countries. Almost half of the children had suffered from at least one atopic disorder, and over one-third had had symptoms in the past year. A clear season-of-response effect was observed; the prevalence of rhinoconjunctivitis was 25% when studied during the pollen seasons in the Helsinki area.

Adolescent↗