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Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is rising globally, with genetics and environmental factors both playing crucial roles. Dietary habits during pregnancy are linked to children's allergic disease risk. However, limited studies have explored the association between maternal vegetarian diets during pregnancy and child AD. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the relationship between maternal vegetarian diets during pregnancy and the occurrence of AD in children. Methods: In this study, the Taiwan Birth Cohort Study (TBCS) database was used, comprising a representative national birth cohort of infants born in Taiwan in 2005. Of 24,200 mother–child pairs in the database, 20,172 completed face‐to‐face interviews at 6 and 18 months. Employing a 1:10 matching strategy based on maternal age, education level, and child sex, 408 mothers who followed a vegetarian diet during pregnancy were matched with 4080 nonvegetarian mothers. This resulted in a final dataset of 4488 subjects. Logistic regression was used to explore the association between maternal vegetarian diets during pregnancy and the occurrence of AD in children. Results: Among the TBCS participants, there were 292 (1.8%) mothers who adhered to lacto‐ovo vegetarianism and 116 (0.7%) mothers who adhered to veganism, totaling 408 (2.4%) vegetarians during pregnancy. Compared to children of nonvegetarian mothers, children of mothers who followed a vegetarian diet during pregnancy showed a lower risk of developing AD before 18 months of age (OR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.45–0.93, p = 0.018). Conclusion: This study suggests that a vegetarian diet during pregnancy may lower the risk of AD in children. It is essential to carry out long‐term follow‐up to fully understand the impact of a mother's diet on allergic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has caused changes in the medical practice. However, it is unclear whether the patients receiving phototherapy for their dermatoses have been affected. Objectives: This study aimed to identify the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on phototherapy, focusing on the patient profile, adherence, and attitude before and after the surge. Methods: The study encompassed the time 5 months prior to and after the surge of the COVID‐19 pandemic (from May to July, 2021), resulting in the temporary closure of our phototherapeutic unit. Results: Nine hundred eighty‐one patients received phototherapy during this period. Vitiligo, psoriasis (Ps), and atopic dermatitis (AD) represented the groups with the highest patient numbers. For vitiligo, Ps and AD, 39.6%, 41.9%, and 28.4% of the patients resumed phototherapy after the pandemic‐related shutdown (PRS). No significant difference was noted in age, gender, and number of weekly sessions between those who resumed or stopped phototherapy after PRS among three groups. Patients who resumed phototherapy after PRS tended to receive more weekly sessions of phototherapy than those who initiated after PRS. Additionally, patients who resumed phototherapy showed no significant difference in the number of weekly sessions before and after PRS. Conclusions: This study reveals a significant impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on patients undergoing phototherapy. Although the patient number remained similar before and after PRS, a significant portion of patients discontinued phototherapy after PRS. New strategies and continued education are needed to improve patient management in times of pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nickel, the fifth most common element on Earth, is the leading inducer of contact allergies in humans, with potent immunological effects. Nickel‐induced contact allergies predominantly affect females. Maternal exposure to nickel has been associated with several developmental abnormalities. However, how a maternal nickel exposure affects the development of atopic diathesis and immune abnormalities in children has never been addressed. Objectives: We aimed to determine whether maternal nickel exposure affects the development of atopic dermatitis and immune abnormalities in their children. Methods: Using a birth cohort study, we analysed 140 mother–child pairs recruited in 2012–2015 from central Taiwan. Maternal exposure to nickel was estimated using urinary nickel levels measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS). The serum levels of 65 analytes and IgE in 3‐year‐old children were profiled with a multiplex ELISA. The correlation between the maternal urinary nickel concentration and serum analyte levels was assessed using Spearmen's correlation. Multivariant regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between maternal urinary nickel levels and serum analyte concentrations in their children. Results: The geometric means of the maternal urinary nickel and the children's serum IgE levels were 2.27 μg/L and 69.71 IU/mL, respectively. The maternal nickel exposure was associated with increased serum levels of IL‐1β, IL‐2, TNF‐α, and leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) but with decreased serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase‐1 (MMP‐1), IL‐2R, and eotaxin‐1 in the children. In addition, the development of childhood atopic dermatitis at 3 years old was significantly associated with the child's serum levels of IgE and IL‐2R, but it was negatively associated with the maternal nickel exposure. Conclusions: This is the first study showing the potential immunological effects of maternal nickel exposure in their children at an early developmental stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Microbial dysbiosis has been implicated in the development of atopic dermatitis (AD). The risk of development of AD following early‐life infections remains unclear. Objective: To investigate the impact of early‐life infections on AD development. Methods: This population‐based nested case–control study was conducted using the Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. A total of 5454 AD patients and 16 362 control subjects without AD were identified, for the period 1997 to 2013. Demographic characteristics, comorbidities and maternal factors were compared. Adjusted odds ratio (aOR) was calculated to examine the associations between early‐life infections and subsequent AD by conditional stepwise logistic regression analysis. Results: Mean age was 2.6 ± 2.9 years in both groups. Overall infections (41.8% vs. 28.9%) before the diagnosis of AD were more common in AD patients than in control subjects (P < 0.001). Infectious diseases [aOR, 1.40; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.29–1.51], skin infections (aOR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.40–1.71) and systemic antibiotic exposure (aOR 1.67, 95% CI 1.55–1.79) before AD diagnosis were independently associated with AD development on multivariate analyses. These results were consistent across observation periods (0–1, 1–2 and >2 years after birth) and sensitivity analyses after redefining the index date as 3 or 6 months before the date of AD diagnosis. Other independent risk factors included asthma, allergic rhinitis, intussusception and neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. No association with subsequent AD was found for maternal age at delivery, Caesarean delivery or prenatal antibiotic exposure. Conclusion: Infections in early life are associated with AD development in infancy and early childhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acetaminophen (APAP) has been associated with the development of atopic diseases. However, little is known about the relationship between prenatal APAP exposure and atopic dermatitis (AD) in offspring. Objective: To investigate the association between prenatal APAP exposure and AD risk in offspring. Methods: In this study, 2029 study pairs (AD‐affected children and their mothers) and 5,058 control pairs were identified between 1998 and 2008 from the Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database. Maternal APAP exposure during pregnancy was assessed. Results: After adjustment for potential confounders, there was a significant association between risk of offspring AD and exposure to acetaminophen in the first trimester (OR 1.16; 95% CI 1.05‐1.28), the second trimester (OR 1.14; 95% CI 1.03‐1.27), both first and second trimesters (OR 1.30; 95% CI 1.13‐1.51), both first and third trimester (OR 1.20; 95% CI 1.04‐1.39), any trimester (OR 1.12; 95% CI 1.00‐1.26), and all three trimesters (OR 1.32; 95% CI 1.08‐1.62) in a dose‐response manner. Conclusions: Prenatal exposure to acetaminophen was associated with an increased incidence of offspring AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: An association between alopecia areata (AA) and atopic dermatitis (AD) has been reported in previous studies. However, the temporality of this relationship remains unclear based on prior cross‐sectional and case‐control studies. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the bidirectional association between AA and AD. Methods: Participants were recruited from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan. In analysis 1, we included 12 022 AA patients and 48 088 matched controls to assess the association between AA and AD risks. In analysis 2, 40 307 AD patients and 161 228 matched controls were included to assess the association between AD and AA risks. A Cox regression model was used to calculate adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Compared with controls, AA patients had a significantly increased risk of developing AD (aHR: 5.47; 95% CI: 4.76‐6.28) after adjustment for potential confounders. Likewise, AD patients had a significantly increased risk of developing AA (aHR: 6.00; 95% CI: 5.04‐7.14). Conclusions: Our study demonstrated a bidirectional association between AA and AD, suggesting that these two diseases may share common pathogenic mechanisms. This finding has implications for follow‐up and screening of AA patients for AD and vice versa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

First reported from Taiwan mistakenly as acral acanthosis nigricans in 1991, pigmented carpotarsal hyperkeratosis or hyperkeratosis nigricans carpi et tarsi displays a peculiar distribution of velvety brown‐grey hyperpigmented plaques symmetrically on the flexural side of the wrists and ankles and on the dorsal sides of the hands and feet. A marked epidermal hyperkeratosis with typically mild acanthosis and papillomatosis is observed in histology. Whitish maceration upon perspiration or water exposure, with exacerbation in summer but remission in winter, is common. The association with obesity, endocrine disorders, atopic dermatitis, ichthyosis or malignancy is unknown. Familial occurrence and hereditary patterns are ill‐defined. There is preliminary evidence indicating a pathogenic role of missense mutation in the transcription factor 4 gene. Treatment is empirical, with good outcome with topical retinoids and keratolytic agents. Recurrence is common, and long‐term prognosis is unclear. To be distinguished are acral acanthosis nigricans, palmoplantar keratoderma of the Nagashima type, palmoplantar keratoderma of the Bothnian type and aquagenic palmoplantar keratoderma. Most reported cases are from Southern China and are predominantly observed in men between the ages of 20 and 40 years. The currently used term 'symmetrical acral keratoderma' is non‐specific and misleading and may lead to global unawareness, underreporting or misdiagnosis of this phenomenon. Further genetic and molecular studies are required to clarify its pathogenesis and relation to palmoplantar keratoderma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

Objective Both atopic dermatitis and epilepsy have been regarded as chronic inflammatory diseases. However, their association has yet to be investigated. Methods Using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, 35,312 patients with atopic dermatitis but without a history of epilepsy, and 35,312 age-/gender-matched controls were enrolled between 1998 and 2008, and followed to the end of 2011 to identify the development of epilepsy. Results Subjects with atopic dermatitis had a higher incidence of developing epilepsy (0.94 vs. 0.27/1,000 person-years, p < 0.001) than the control group. The Cox regression model showed that atopic dermatitis increased the risk of developing epilepsy (hazard ratio [ HR] 2.91, 95% confidence interval [ CI] 2.23-3.82) after adjusting for demographic data and medical comorbidities. Sensitivity tests showed consistent findings ( HR 2.32, 95% CI 1.68-2.96) after excluding the first year of observation. In addition, asthma ( HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.04-1.72) and allergic rhinitis ( HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.04-1.73) were related to the risk of epilepsy. Significance Subjects with atopic dermatitis were associated with an increased risk of developing epilepsy in later life. Further studies would be needed to investigate the underlying mechanisms. A PowerPoint slide summarizing this article is available for download in the Supporting Information section . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The biological mechanisms of how prenatal smoke exposure leading to atopic disorders remain to be addressed. Whether prenatal smoke exposure affects DNA methylation leading to atopic disorders is not clear. Objective As most children suffering from atopic dermatitis ( AD) continue to develop asthma later in life, we explored whether prenatal smoke exposure induces cord blood DNA methylation. Methods Methylation differences associated with smoke exposure were screened by Illumina Infinium 27K methylation arrays for 14 children from the Taiwan birth panel study cohort initially. Information about development of atopic dermatitis ( AD) and risk factors was collected. Cord blood cotinine levels were measured to represent prenatal smoke exposure. CpG loci that demonstrated a statistically significant difference in methylation were validated by methylation-dependent fragment separation ( MDFS). Differential methylation in three genes ( TSLP, GSTT1, and CYB5R3) was identified through the screen. Results Among these, only thymic stromal lymphopoietin ( TSLP) gene displayed significant difference in promoter methylation percentage after being validated by MDFS ( p = 0.018). TSLP gene was further investigated in a larger sample of 150 children from the cohort who completed the follow-up study. Methylation status of the TSLP 5′-CpG island ( CGI) was found to be significantly associated with prenatal smoke exposure ( OR=3.17, 95% CI=1.63-6.19) and with AD ( OR=2.32, 95% CI=1.06-5.11). The degree of TSLP 5′ CGI methylation inversely correlated with TSLP protein expression levels ( r = −0.45, P = 0.001). Conclusions & Clinical Relevance The effect of prenatal tobacco smoke exposure on the risk for AD may be mediated through DNA methylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term 'hand dermatitis' describes inflammatory skin condition localized to the hands. Nurses working at hospital settings are prone to develop hand dermatitis. The current study aimed to evaluate whether certain genetic polymorphisms were associated with the development of atopic eczema or non-atopic hand dermatitis in Taiwanese population. Nurses of Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital were recruited. Atopic eczema, non-atopic hand dermatitis and normal control groups were identified. The serine protease inhibitor Kazal type 5 ( SPINK5), filaggrin and interleukin-31 ( IL-31) gene variants were compared between the diseased and control groups. Our results showed that rs2303070 T allele of SPINK5 (assuming recessive model; OR = 3.58, 95% CI 1.63-7.84; P = 0.0014) and rs7977932 G allele of IL-31 (assuming recessive model; OR = 18.25, 95% CI = 3.27-101.94; P = 0.0009) were associated with increased risks of developing atopic eczema, while rs6892205 G allele of SPINK5 (assuming dominant model; OR = 3.79, 95% CI 1.55-9.28; P = 0.0036) was associated with the development of non-atopic hand dermatitis. In summary, our results showed that distinct SPINK5 and IL-31 gene variants were associated with the development of atopic eczema and non-atopic hand dermatitis. The barrier function, particularly those regulated by SPINK5, may play an important role in the development of both atopic eczema and non-atopic hand dermatitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Skin infection and/or nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus in children with atopic dermatitis (AD) is a risk factor for exacerbating disease or subsequent recurrent S. aureus infection. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the antibiotic susceptibilities of S. aureus strains from AD children and determine the most appropriate choice of antibiotics. Methods: Nasal swabs from 168 healthy children with AD and 20 AD children with concurrent skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTI) were collected in 2005-2008. S. aureus strains were further analyzed for and compared with antibiotic susceptibilities. Results: There were 78 (46.4%) healthy children with AD colonized with S. aureus, and 24 (30.8%) were methicillinresistant S. aureus (MRSA). Among the 20 SSTI-infecting strains, 12 (60%) were MRSA. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed that, after penicillin, colonizing and SSTI-infecting strains had the highest rates of resistance to erythromycin (50% and 70%, respectively). All isolated strains were susceptible to vancomycin, rifampin, and mupirocin. Multi-drug resistance was found in 70% of the colonizing and 50% of the SSTI-infecting strains. D-test assay revealed inducible clindamycin resistance in 75% of the colonizing strains. The most prevalent resistance gene was ermB which was present in 94.9% and 92.9% of colonizing and SSTI-infecting strains, respectively. Conclusions: This study found that colonizing and SSTI-infecting strains of S. aureus from AD children had a high prevalence of MRSA and multi-drug resistance. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, rifampin, fusidic acid and mupirocin appear to be more suitable for treatment and decolonization of S. aureus in AD children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is common to recommend breastfeeding and a delayed introduction of solids to prevent atopic dermatitis (AD). However, the scientific evidence for this is inconclusive. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of breastfeeding and solids on AD, when taking account of reverse causality. This on-going birth cohort study was designed to sample 24,200 representative post-partum women and their babies from the Taiwan National Birth Registration database. Using two home interviews at 6 and 18 months after birth, with structured questionnaires about diet and physician's diagnosis of AD by parental reports, a total of 20,172 pairs (83.4%) were reviewed completely. Considering reverse causality, we excluded 2399 children with AD in the first 6 months of life and 18,733 were finally recruited. All study participants provided informed consent as approved by the Ethics Review Board of the National Taiwan College of Public Health. After adjustment for potential confounders, the overall results showed that the increased duration of breastfeeding seemed to increase the risk of AD at 18 months in children. However, no significant effect was found for the delayed introduction of solids on the risk of AD. There is no evidence of a protective effect of prolonged breastfeeding and a delayed introduction of solids against AD among children at age 18 months, and may even be a risk factor of AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Attempts to identify predictors of atopic dermatitis (AD) have focused on genetic and immunologic factors. However, the role of neuro-mediators remains to be elucidated. Objective To evaluate nerve growth factor (NGF) and vaso-active intestinal peptide (VIP) in predicting paediatric AD and assess their correlation with intrinsic and extrinsic types of AD. Methods We performed a nested case–control study in the prospective Taiwan birth panel cohort study. Cord and maternal plasma and questionnaires were gathered at birth. During follow-up, we identified 40 available AD cases, which were matched to 80 unaffected controls chosen from this cohort. The concentrations of IgE, NGF, and VIP in cord and maternal plasma of these subjects were performed by ELISA. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to see how well each biomarker could predict AD. Results The NGF levels were significantly higher in AD patients than controls (mean±SD: 65.47±44.45 vs. 49.21±12.18 pg/mL for cord plasma and 89.68±41.04 vs. 66.96±23.05 pg/mL for maternal plasma) ( P<0.05). VIP levels were also higher but not statistically significant. Plasma NGF may be a better biomarker than IgE in detecting paediatric AD (area under the ROC curve=0.65 vs. 0.61 for cord plasma and 0.69 vs. 0.61 for maternal plasma). Maternal NGF levels were significantly higher in patients with both intrinsic (96.18±48.15 pg/mL) and extrinsic (86.18±37.23 pg/mL) types of AD compared with controls (66.96±23.05 pg/mL) ( P<0.05). We assessed a significant correlation between self-reported stress during pregnancy and maternal NGF levels ( r=0.22, P=0.02). Conclusion Our results suggest that NGF is a good alternative biomarker in predicting children with a risk of AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies of predictors of atopic dermatitis (AD) in Asia have had limited sample size and small numbers of variables focused primarily on family history or dietary exposures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of various environmental risk factors for early infantile AD. We used multistage, stratified systematic sampling to recruit 2048 mother–child pairs from the Taiwan national birth registration in 2003. Information on environmental risk factors for infant AD gathered by questionnaire were available from 1760 infants at 6 months of age. Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for risk factors for AD after adjusting for potential confounders. AD was noted in 118 of 1760 (6.7%) of the infants. After adjusting for maternal age and education, family history of atopy, infant gender, and gestational age, fungi on walls of the house [aOR 2.14 (95% CI 1.41–3.22)] and frequent use of microwave oven at home [aOR 1.71 (95% CI 1.13–2.58)] increased the risk of early infantile AD. This study suggests that environmental factors do play a role in early infantile AD. Fungi, a kind of aeroallergen, are especially important in humid climate as in Taiwan and their impacts might be felt at the early infant stage. The hazards of microwave use should be paid more attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Epidemiological study on childhood dermatoses performed by direct inspection of dermatologists is limited. Objective To investigate the prevalence of selective childhood dermatoses in Taiwan. Methods In a cross-sectional study carried out in June 2004, 4067 of 7851 children aged between 6 and 11 years living in the Kaohsiung County in south Taiwan were clinically surveyed and examined by two board-certified dermatologists (response rate 52%), regarding the point prevalence of acne, ephelides, warts, atopic dermatitis (AD), psoriasis, alopecia areata (AA) and keloid. Results Acne vulgaris was found in girls and boys from the age of 6 and 7, respectively, with comedones being the earliest presentation. Ephelides were not infrequently observed in our children (prevalence rate 8.4%, 95% confidence interval, CI 7.9–9.3%). The prevalence of warts on hands was 2.4% (95% CI 1.9–2.9%). The prevalence of AD was 1.7% (95% CI 1.3–2.1%), without gender difference. There were only four cases of AA but no psoriasis was found. Keloid was identified in 13 boys and 10 girls, accounting for 0.6% (95% CI 0.598–0.602%) of the children. Conclusion Acne vulgaris is as common in Taiwan as in Western countries. Ephelides are not uncommon in our population with the main skin types III–IV. A clustered distribution of the wart infection was noted. The low prevalence of AD in Taiwan seems unaltered over the past decade. AA and psoriasis are rare in our series. Most keloids in our children are caused by BCG vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The prevalence of atopic eczema in adolescents has recently been reported as increasing in many countries, a phenomenon yet to be fully explained. This study compared the prevalence of atopic eczema among Taiwanese adolescents with individual-level risk factors and community-level data of temperature, relative humidity, and air pollutants to determine whether changes in these factors could explain the observed change in prevalence. Methods We conducted two nationwide, cross-sectional surveys of atopic illness and symptoms among Taiwanese 12–15-year-old schoolchildren in 1995–1996 and 2001. The effects of personal and environmental factors were assessed and temporal changes of outdoor monitoring data were also compared with the prevalence difference of atopic eczema. Results A total of 42 919 adolescents from the 1995 to 1996 survey and 10 215 adolescents from the 2001 survey attended schools located within 1 km of 22 monitoring stations. The 12-month prevalence of atopic eczema increased significantly during this period [adjusted prevalence ratio (PR)=1.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.21–1.70 in boys; PR=1.77, 95% CI 1.49–2.10 in girls]. After adjustment for potential risk factors, the prevalence differences were statistically unchanged. Although parental education level contributed the most, changes in personal and environmental factors might not explain the observed prevalence increases of atopic eczema. Temporal change in the relative humidity was significantly associated with prevalence increase among boys but its contribution was also small. Conclusion Correlates of the investigated risk factors that have changed over time still underlie the prevalence increases of atopic eczema in Taiwanese adolescents. The exact reasons for the rising trends remain to be elucidated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines mite allergen exposure as a risk factor in atopic dermatitis development during early infancy in Taipei, Taiwan. Influence of allergen exposure during infancy on allergic diseases in later life; Prevention of allergic diseases by avoiding allergen sensitization; Role of heredity in allergic diseases.

Chronic hand eczema is an important occupational skin disease with atopic dermatitis ( AD) and wet work being the most important risk factors. This study was launched to analyse the potential association between AD-related inflammation genes and development of non-atopic hand eczema among nurses in University Hospital. Atopic eczema, non-atopic hand dermatitis and control groups were identified. The association between occurrence of non-atopic hand eczema and interleukin ( IL) -13, IL-4 and IL-5 gene variants was analysed. IL13 rs20541 A allele [assuming recessive model; odds ratio ( OR) = 3.38, 95% CI: (1.63-7.00)] showed association with development of non-atopic hand eczema. Additive score analyses showed combination of this gene variant with previously identified risk factors including certain SPINK5 polymorphism and more than 10 years of work experience conferred highest risk for development of non-atopic hand eczema. As non-atopic hand eczema made up significant portion of occupational skin diseases, further studies should be focused on this commonly encountered skin condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]