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Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease commonly treated with topical corticosteroids. The inflammatory nature of this disorder and the use of topical corticosteroids represent potential risk factors for bone loss. Objectives The aim was to assess the prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia in adult patients with moderate to severe AD. In addition, the associations between topical/oral corticosteroid use and bone mineral density (BMD) and between disease activity and BMD were studied. Patients and methods We studied 125 adult patients with moderate to severe AD. Using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, BMD was measured at lumbar spine and hips. The cumulative dose of topical and oral corticosteroids was calculated from pharmacy prescription records. Lifestyle parameters were collected by a questionnaire. Biochemical parameters of bone metabolism and disease activity [serum concentration of thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) levels] were also measured. Results Osteoporosis was documented in six patients (4·8%) and osteopenia in 41 patients (32·8%); 30·4% of the patients had a Z-score ≤ −1 (low BMD), with more men (43·8%) than women (16·4%) affected. There was no significant association between low BMD and biochemical parameters of bone metabolism, serum TARC levels and cumulative dose of topical and oral corticosteroids during the 5 years prior to inclusion. Conclusions We document a Z-score ≤ −1 in about one-third of predominantly male patients with moderate to severe AD, being independent of the cumulative dose of topical and corticosteroids used within 5 years prior to study. Whether the relatively high prevalence of low BMD is due to the cumulative dose of topical corticosteroids beyond 5 years prior to the study or the chronicity of the underlying inflammatory process or a combination of these, remains to be established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Severe atopic dermatitis (AD) is often treated successfully with oral immunosuppressive drugs such as ciclosporin (CsA) or oral corticosteroids. However, some patients develop adverse effects or are unresponsive to these first-choice oral immunosuppressive drugs. Objectives To evaluate whether enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS) is an effective treatment in patients with severe, recalcitrant AD. Methods Ten patients with severe, recalcitrant AD were treated with EC-MPS 720 mg twice daily for 6 months. All patients had to discontinue other oral immunosuppressive drugs due to adverse effects ( n = 8) or nonresponsiveness ( n = 2). Disease activity was monitored using the Severity Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis (modified SCORAD) index and the Leicester Sign Score (LSS). Additionally, the level of serum thymus and activation-regulated cytokine (TARC) was measured. During treatment, safety laboratory examination was performed. Total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) was followed during treatment. Use of topical corticosteroids was recorded before and during treatment. Results Compared with baseline, the mean scores for disease activity significantly decreased during treatment with EC-MPS [modified SCORAD ( P = 0·04), LSS severity ( P = 0·01), LSS extent ( P = 0·01)]. In addition, serum TARC levels and total serum IgE levels significantly decreased after treatment compared with before ( P = 0·03; P = 0·05). Disease activity decreased after approximately 2 months of treatment and stabilized during the 6-month treatment period. No differences in the amount of topical corticosteroids used in the 6 months prior to treatment compared with the 6-month treatment period were found ( P = 0·4). None of the patients discontinued use of EC-MPS and only mild adverse effects were seen. Conclusions In this study EC-MPS at a dose of 720 mg twice daily for 6 months has proven to be an effective and well-tolerated treatment for patients with severe, recalcitrant AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Topical corticosteroids are used extensively to treat inflammatory skin disorders including atopic dermatitis (AD). Several studies have described temporary reversible suppression of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal function. However, sound evidence of permanent disturbance of adrenal gland function is lacking. Objectives To relate basal cortisol levels to prior use of topical corticosteroids and disease activity in patients with moderate to severe AD and to investigate the effect on basal serum cortisol levels of topical corticosteroid treatment during hospitalization. Methods Two groups of patients with AD were evaluated: 25 inpatients with severe AD who required hospitalization (group 1) and 28 outpatients with moderate to severe AD (group 2). In group 1, morning basal serum cortisol levels were measured twice, at admission and at discharge; in group 2, morning basal serum cortisol levels were measured once. Use of topical corticosteroids in the 3 months prior to the cortisol measurement was recorded and disease activity was monitored using the Six Area, Six Sign Atopic Dermatitis (SASSAD) score and serum thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) levels. Results On admission, basal cortisol levels in group 1 were significantly ( P < 0·001) decreased in 80% of the patients. In group 2, the basal cortisol levels were normal in all but three patients. Comparing the two groups, group 1 on admission had a significantly lower cortisol level than that of group 2 ( P < 0·001). Disease activity in group 1 on admission was significantly higher than that of group 2 ( P < 0·001). There was no difference in use of topical corticosteroids in the 3 months before cortisol measurement. At discharge in group 1 there was a significant increase ( P < 0·0001) of basal cortisol levels and a significant ( P < 0·001) decrease in disease activity reflected by the decrease in serum TARC levels and SASSAD score. Conclusions Disease activity, rather than the use of topical corticosteroids, is responsible for the low basal cortisol values in patients with severe AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]