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This article, published in the journal Allergy, explores the role of miR-223 in atopic dermatitis (AD). The study found that AD patients had higher levels of neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation, which decreased after treatment. The expression of miR-223 was elevated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and plasma of AD patients, but decreased in neutrophils and skin lesions. The authors hypothesize that the down-regulation of miR-223 in neutrophils leads to increased NET formation and promotes skin inflammation in AD. The study was supported by grants from Taichung Veterans General Hospital in Taiwan. [Extracted from the article]

Background An individual's birth month has been associated with allergic diseases, but little is known about the association between birth month and atopic dermatitis ( AD). Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the risk of AD in children born in various months. Methods Using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database, we conducted a case-control study that included 31 237 AD cases and 124 948 age- and gender-matched controls without AD. Data regarding sociodemographic factors and coexisting medical conditions were collected and controlled in the multivariate logistic regression to determine the adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for AD associated with the participant's birth month. Results Compared with people born in May, people born in December had the highest risk of AD ( OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.10-1.25), followed by people born in October ( OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.08-1.22) and November ( OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.06-1.20). Low income ( OR 1.28), asthma ( OR 1.88), allergic rhinitis ( OR 1.70), psoriasis ( OR 2.36), vitiligo ( OR 1.99), urticaria ( OR 2.14), and systemic lupus erythematosus ( OR 1.91) were significant coexisting medical conditions associated with AD. Conclusion Being born in December, October, or November may be associated with an increased risk of AD. Future investigations are needed to evaluate the possible mechanism behind the association between birth month and AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Atopic dermatitis affects 15-30% of children worldwide. Onset of disease usually occurs within the first year of life, over half of which regress by 6 years of age. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors related to the persistence of infantile atopic dermatitis. Methods In this birth cohort study, patients were enrolled prenatally and followed until 6 years of age; 246 patients had infantile atopic dermatitis at 6 months of age. Family history, maternal and paternal total and specific Immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, and cord blood IgE were recorded. Clinical examination, questionnaire survey, and blood samples for total and specific IgE of the children were collected at each follow-up visit. Results Of the 246 patients with infantile atopic dermatitis at 6 months of age, 48 patients had persisted atopic dermatitis at 6 years of age (19.5%). Risk factors associated with persistent infantile atopic dermatitis included egg white sensitization (odds ratio: 3.801, P = 0.020), and atopic dermatitis involving two or more areas at 6 months old (odds ratio: 2.921, P = 0.018) after multivariate analysis with logistic regression. Patients with persistent infantile atopic dermatitis had a higher risk of asthma before 6 years old (39.6% vs 24.2%, P = 0.032). Conclusion Egg white sensitization and the initial involvement of two or more areas at 6 months of age were associated with the persistent infantile atopic dermatitis. Patients with persistent infantile atopic dermatitis are more likely to develop asthma by 6 years of age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]