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Background: In the past two decades, the prevalence of asthma, eczema, and allergic rhinitis has increased among school-aged children in the Central Black Sea region of Turkey. This increase is consistent with national and international data, reflecting the impact and temporal changes of allergic diseases on the community. A similar increasing trend is also observed worldwide. This study aims to contribute to the development of health policies related to allergic diseases among Turkish children in the Central Black Sea region. Materials and Methods: This study compares the results of two cross-sectional surveys conducted in schools in and around Samsun, Turkey, between the years 2006 and 2022, examining changes in the prevalence of specific allergic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic eczema. Utilizing the Turkish translation of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood protocol, the research encompassed a total of 1,310 and 3,219 children, respectively. Results: In the recent study conducted in 2022, the prevalence of asthma and allergic bronchitis diagnosed by physicians was found to be 10.5% and 4.6%, respectively. In addition, the prevalence of allergic rhinitis was determined to be 3.1% and the prevalence of atopic dermatitis was 2.5%. Moreover, previously unidentified rates of food allergy were determined to be 2.5%, and drug allergy was found to be 2.4%. Furthermore, a comparison with a cross-sectional study conducted in the same region 20 years ago revealed a statistically significant increase in the prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma and allergic bronchitis (with P-values of 0.0375 and 0.0107, respectively). Discussion: The findings of this study suggest a similar trend of increasing prevalence of allergic diseases when compared with similar studies at national and global levels. Consistent with trends identified in the international literature, Turkey is also affected by the rising prevalence of allergic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease posing a significant burden on healthcare resources and patients' quality of life. It is a complex disease with a wide spectrum of clinical presentations and combinations of symptoms. Atopic dermatitis affects up to 20% of children and up to 3% of adults. Recent data show that its prevalence is still increasing, especially in low-income countries. This study aimed to check whether the use of probiotic therapy affects the reduction of allergic symptoms in patients diagnosed with AD. Material and methods: Questionnaires of 70 respondents diagnosed with AD who took a probiotic for at least 5 days were analysed. To conduct the study, an anonymous, original survey was used in the form of a form created on Google Drive consisting of 19 questions with the possibility of answering both single and multiple choice and with the possibility of providing your own answer. Results: The most beneficial strains affecting the reduction of allergic symptoms are bacteria of the genus Lactobacillus. The average duration of use of probiotic therapy to reduce allergic symptoms is from 2 weeks to 3 months. Conclusions: The study showed that the implementation of probiotic therapy shortens the duration of therapy for AD and reduces allergic symptoms such as redness, itching of the skin and allergic rhinitis co-occurring in patients with AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Initiation and expansion of nurse-led eczema clinics at a large tertiary hospital in Melbourne has improved timely access to treatment and education for many children with eczema and their families. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of nurse-led eczema clinics in treating eczema and reducing its impact on quality of life and also the level of parent or guardian satisfaction with the clinical experience. METHODS: All families attending two weekly communitybased nurse-led eczema clinics and two weekly hospitalbased nurse-led eczema clinics were invited to take part in a survey-based evaluation. A parent or guardian completed surveys at initial and follow-up clinic visits, and eczema severity was assessed at both visits using SCORAD. RESULTS: There were 342 participants. Eczema severity was reduced by 62%(18 points), and the quality-of-life impact scores fell by at least 50% for individuals and families. More than 90% of parents rated the clinician and overall clinic experience as "excellent" or "very good." CONCLUSION: The nurse-led eczema clinics were effective in reducing the severity of eczema and the negative impact of eczema on the individual and the family unit. Themagnitude of this reduction was clinically and statistically significant. Participants' clinic experience was highly positive [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atopic dermatitis (AD) has a negative influence on school attendance. We aimed to identify factors associated with school absenteeism in adolescents with AD. We used data from the 3rd to 11th annual Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey completed from 2007 to 2015. Survey data were obtained from a stratified, multistage, clustered sample. Participants responded to the question "have you ever been diagnosed with AD?" Factors associated with AD-related school absenteeism (ADSA), which is defined as at least one school absence due to AD, were evaluated. Among the 141,899 subjects, the prevalence of AD increased (17.3% to 24.2%), while that of ADSA decreased (7.3% to 2.6%) from 2007 to 2015. Compared to adolescents without ADSA, those with ADSA were more likely to be male, middle school students, and have negative mental health states, including suicidality. In the multivariate logistic regression model, the association of sleep dissatisfaction and depression with ADSA was high (adjusted odds ratio, 6.12; 95% confidence intervals, 4.61–7.95; and 5.44; 5.23–5.67, respectively). The prevalence of ADSA has decreased despite an increase in the prevalence of AD in Korean adolescents; however, it is important for pediatricians to screen for factors associated with ADSA to improve school attendance in adolescents with AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most common diseases worldwide. Severe AD has a major impact on the quality of life of patients. We performed a systematic literature review on the epidemiology of AD in Italian pre-school children (age 0–5 years) and we assessed the available data on the severity of AD. In August 2022, we performed a bibliographic search using PubMed/Medline and EMBASE. We identified 10 studies with Italian data on the prevalence and/or incidence of AD in pre-school children. The period (12 months) prevalence of AD varied widely across studies, ranging between 4.0% and 42.2%, with median estimates of 14.3% among all studies and 11.8% among studies from 2010 onwards. Applied to the Italian population, this leads to a prevalence of 309,000–375,000 pre-school AD cases. Only one study computed the incidence of AD, reporting rates of 9 cases per 100 person-years in children aged 0–1 year, and 2.5 cases per 100 person-years in children aged 1–4 years. Severity data from Italy were also reviewed, across three identified three studies. A point estimate found 8.4% of cases were considered severe in one study based on the Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM), with an overall range of 7.8–11% across different Italian studies and according to various severity score types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and healthcare utilization by children with allergic diseases. We determined SES based on parental occupation and household income. A cross-sectional study was conducted using the Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (KNHANES) between 2015 and 2019 with participants who were under 18 years of age. The presence of allergic conditions was determined by a self-reported survey of parental response and healthcare utilization data (such as inpatient and outpatient visits). Moreover, we categorized SES into four quantiles (Q1–Q4) based on household income per annum. Then, the data were analyzed using chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression analysis with confidence intervals (CIs) of 95%, and p < 0.05 was considered significant. A total of 3250 participants were involved in this study. The percentage of allergic diseases was 67.9% for allergic asthma and 32.1% for atopic dermatitis. It was found that the participants who were over 13 years old had atopic dermatitis and were more likely to visit the hospital than younger children. Additionally, the highest SES group in Q4 demonstrated higher healthcare utilization (OR = 1.58; 95% CI, 1.14–1.76) than other SES groups. Our study reveals that parental socioeconomic characteristics are related to the use of healthcare services for children with allergic disorders in Korea. These results highlight the need for public health actions and research to overcome the SES gap among children with allergic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that is common in children and is increasing worldwide. This study aimed to identify differences in children's health behavior and social-emotional health status based on AD diagnosis at late school age. For this purpose, we conducted a descriptive survey using the 12th Panel Study on Korean Children data obtained in 2019. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Rao–Scott χ 2 test, and a t-test using a complex sample analysis. A total of 1412 11-year-old Korean children participated in the study, of whom an estimated 8.2% were diagnosed with AD. In the children diagnosed with AD, the transition from exclusive breastfeeding to mixed feeding was later than that in children without AD (F = 5.71, p = 0.024), and the prevalence of AD in their parents was higher (F = 6.97, p = 0.014). Regarding health behaviors, the children diagnosed with AD had a higher intake frequency of protein (F = 5.41, p = 0.028) and vegetables (F = 6.09, p = 0.020). Regarding social-emotional health, subjective health status (F = 3.94, p = 0.026) and friend relationships (F = 2.95, p = 0.007) were lower in the children diagnosed with AD. These results, as preliminary data for interventions for school-aged children with AD, suggest that the difficulties of children's peer relationships should be considered and dealt with in further interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study is to identify the relationships between allergic disease, suicidal ideation, and plans among Korean adolescents. Additionally, we examined the mediating role of short sleep duration. We analyzed nationally representative cross-sectional data from the 12th to 14th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey; the final sample included 164,725 middle school–aged and high school–aged adolescents (mean age = 15.17 years, standard deviation =.13; 51.1% male). Allergic disease was a statistically significant risk factor for suicidal ideation (crude odds ratio [COR] = 1.284, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.246, 1.323]) and suicide plans (COR = 1.165, 95% CI = [1.108, 1.224]). Short sleep duration was a statistically significant mediator (p <.001). We advised school nurses to assess warning signs of poor sleep—including irritability, depression, sleep problems, poor concentration, and poor academic achievement—and that programs be created to improve sleep and mental health in adolescents with allergic disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent studies indicate that the timing of introduction of potentially allergenic food is crucial for the development of food allergy in children. This cross-sectional study aimed to clarify the reality of allergen food intake in a general population of young children in Japan. Methods: A questionnaire survey of caregivers was conducted at health checkups for 1.5-year (18-month)-old and 3-year-old children in the fall of 2020. The caregivers were asked about (1) the presence/absence of allergic disease symptoms based on the ISAAC questionnaire, and (2) foods that caregivers avoided giving their children. Ordinal logistic regression analyses were periformed to determine factors associated with food avoidance. Results: Questionnaires were distributed to 1720 caregivers, and 1603 (93%) responded. The responders consisted of 771 and 832 caregivers who participated in 1.5-year-old and 3-year-old checkups, respectively. The prevalence of allergic diseases was comparable to recent epidemiological studies in Japan, indicating that the population may be representative. At 1.5 years old, more than 50% of the children were not exposed to peanuts, tree nuts, fish eggs, shellfish, and buckwheat. At 3 years old, the avoidance rates of the foods had decreased but were still between 18.8% and 32.0%. On the other hand, the avoidance rates of chicken egg and cow’s milk, the top 2 common allergenic foods in Japan, were much lower at 2.8% and 1.5% at 1.5 years, and they decreased to 1.4% and 0.7% at 3 years old, respectively. Ordinal logistic analysis showed that avoidance of chicken egg, cow’s milk, and wheat was associated with food allergy diagnosis and chicken egg avoidance with eczema, but avoidance of other foods showed no associations with any risk factors for food allergy. Conclusion: Caregivers avoided giving various foods, independent of allergy risk factors, to their young children. Since delayed introduction of an allergenic food has been reported to increase the risk of developing an allergy to the food, the results warrant future investigation of the development of food allergies in relation to current eating habits and recommendations.

Background: Much attention has been focused on environmental risk factors and their roles in eczema development. In this regard, the specific eczema risk factors in Taiwan were relatively unknown. As such, this study investigated the common indoor risk factors present in Taiwanese households. Aims: To discuss the effects of several indoor risk factors on the prevalence of atopic eczema in Taiwan. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, population-based study was performed in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, using both survey investigation and fungal culturing. A total of 998 participants were enrolled in the survey, with 513 participants selected for fungal culture. Risks of atopic eczema were calculated as odds ratios for various risk factors using logistic regression. The correlation between potential risk factors and the fungal level was analyzed with linear regression. Results: Pet and house plants have an adjusted odds ratio of 1.434 (95% CL: 1.011–2.033) and 1.820 (95% CL: 1.229-2.696), respectively. Additionally, smoking was shown to possess an odds ratio of 1.461 (95% CL: 1.064-2.006). Wood wall has an adjusted odds ratio of 2.143 (95% CL: 1.235-3.658). Frequent bedroom shower use (β = 0.254) and hours of opened windows (β = 0.106) have shown significant positive associations with indoor fungal level. Conclusion: Pets, house plants, and smoking were concluded to be major risk factors for atopic eczema. Wood wall remained controversial due to its limited sample size and possible confounders. Bedroom shower and window-opening have been shown to increase mold growth, but the lack of association with eczema suggested other allergens besides mold to be the primary eczema trigger. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The purpose of this study was to gather information on the current assessment and management of patients with moderate-to-severe AD in routine daily practice. Methods. A cross-sectional two-round Delphi survey with the participation of dermatologists and allergologists throughout Spain was conducted. They completed a 46-item questionnaire, and consensus was defined when responses of ≥80% of participants coincided in the categories of a 5-point Likert scale for that item. Results. A total of 105 specialists (aged 40–59 years) completed the two rounds. Participants agreed regarding the consideration of AD as a multifaceted disease and the differences in clinical presentation of AD according to the patient's age. It is recommendable to perform a skin biopsy to exclude early stage T-cell cutaneous lymphoma, psoriasis, or dermatitis herpetiformis, among others (99.1%). Also, consensus was reached regarding the use of the SCORAD index to quantify the severity of the disease (86.7%), the use of wet wraps to increase the effect of topical corticosteroids (90.4%), the usefulness of proactive treatment during follow-up (85.6%) and tacrolimus ointment (91.2%) to reduce new flares, and the fact that crisaborole is not the treatment of choice for severe AD (92.4%). AD was not considered a contraindication for immunotherapy in patients with allergic respiratory diseases (92.4%). In patients with severe AD, the use of immune response modifier drugs (97.6%) or phototherapy (92.8%) does not sufficiently cover their treatment needs. Consensus was also obtained regarding the role of the new biologic drugs (93.6%) targeting cytokines involved in the Th2 inflammatory pathway (92.0%) and the potential role of dupilumab as first-line treatment (90.4%) in moderate-to-severe AD patients. Conclusion. This study contributes a reference framework to the care of AD patients. There is no diagnostic test or biomarkers to direct treatment or to assess the severity of the disease, and many therapeutic challenges remain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of asthma and related factors in Korean adults using national health statistics. Methods: This study used statistical data from the 2016 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The subjects were 5,841 adults aged 19 years or older. The collected data included questions about general, health and disease-related characteristics. Data were analyzed by complex sample test and complex sample multiple logistic regression analysis with the SPSS/WIN 24.0 program. Results: The prevalence of asthma was 2.7%. Factors related to asthma were age (Odds Ratio [OR]=2.21, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]=1.32~3.70), depression (OR=2.62, 95% CI=1.41~4.86), allergic rhinitis (OR=3.51, 95% CI=2.26~5.45), and atopic dermatitis (OR=5.82, 95% CI=3.21~10.53). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that asthma-related factors in Korean adults were age, depression, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis. Therefore, considering these factors, it may be helpful to educate about depression - related nursing intervention for asthma patients and to prevention of allergic antigen exposure for asthma patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multitude of treatment options for atopic dermatitis (AD) makes management frustrating for providers and patients. Eczema action plans (EAPs) have been proposed to improve parental and provider management. We developed a single-site randomized controlled trial to evaluate the impact of an EAP on quality of life (QOL), provider knowledge, and comfort with AD management. Providers were randomized into an EAP-use group and a traditional care group. All patients completed validated AD QOL surveys, and those with AD were verbally administered the survey 1 month later. Providers’ perceptions on managing AD were compared in the EAP and usual use groups. Parents in the EAP group demonstrated a significantly increased understanding of AD treatment, and providers in the EAP group had a significantly increased understanding and management of AD. The EAP is a feasible tool that can be integrated into a busy clinic practice with a positive impact on physicians and patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated factors associated with quality of life (QOL) in children with eczema. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of survey data from 224 parents of children with eczema attending a large, hospital-based pediatric clinic. Parents completed a validated eczema severity scale (Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure), a QOL scale (Infants’ Dermatitis QOL Index or Children’s Dermatology Life Quality Index), and a knowledge and understanding questionnaire. In adjusted multivariate analyses, worse eczema severity was associated with worse overall QOL (β = 0.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.5, 0.6]), while a higher knowledge score was associated with better QOL (β = −3.4; 95% CI = [−6.6, −0.2]). Similarly, even after adjustment for eczema severity, greater understanding of a child’s individual treatment plan was associated with better QOL (β = −0.7; 95% CI = [−1.4, −0.08]), while increased frequency of worrying about a child’s eczema was associated with worse QOL (β = 0.7; 95% CI = [0.03, 1.1]). These results suggest primary care providers may be able to influence QOL through optimal eczema management and family education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to (i) assess the prevalence of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) at homes, (ii) assess the prevalence of atopic dermatitis and (iii) evaluate the association between ETS exposure and atopic dermatitis status among adolescents.Methods: During October 2015, a cross-sectional study design was implemented using a self-administered, modified version of the ISAAC (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood) questionnaire among students enrolled in nine high schools of one of the six governorates of Kuwait. Prevalence of ETS exposure at home (1 or more smokers at home vs. none) and atopic dermatitis were computed. A multivariable log-binomial regression model was used to evaluate the adjusted association between ETS exposure and atopic dermatitis.Results: Of 800 invited students, 746 (93.3%) participated, of whom 74.8% were Kuwaiti and 50.1% were female with a mean (SD) age of 16.8 (0.68) years. Prevalence of ETS exposure at home was 54%. Prevalence of atopic dermatitis was 14.9%. A final multivariable log-binomial regression model showed that compared with the adolescents free from atopic dermatitis, adolescents with atopic dermatitis were significantly more likely to have had ETS exposure at home (adjusted prevalence ratio = 1.49; 95% CI: 1.03-2.14; p = 0.034) or tended to be female (adjusted prevalence ratio = 1.42; 95% CI: 0.99-2.03; p = 0.054).Conclusions: A high prevalence of ETS exposure at home among adolescents was recorded. ETS exposure and female gender were significantly associated with atopic dermatitis status. Intervention fostering voluntary adoption of a smoke-free home rule may help protect the adolescents against ETS exposure and alleviate the menace of associated morbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION Although tobacco smoking adversely affects health, many people continue to smoke while suffering from chronic disease. Few studies have examined electronic and heat-not-burn cigarette use among chronic disease patients. Our objective was to investigate electronic, heat-not-burn and combustible cigarette use among chronic disease patients with hypertension, diabetes, cerebrovascular disease, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), asthma, atopic dermatitis, cancer, or mental disorders. METHODS We analyzed 4432 eligible respondents aged 40-69 years from a 2015 internet survey (randomly sampled research agency panelists) with a propensity score weighting adjustment for 'being a respondent in an internet survey' in Japan. The outcome measure was the prevalence of electronic, heat-not-burn, and combustible cigarette use. Intention to quit was also calculated. RESULTS In all, 32.1% (n=80) of male patients with more than two diseases and 10.3% (n=16) of female patients were current smokers. Of the patients who had no intention to quit smoking, 15.5% were male patients with atopic dermatitis and 63.7% with mental disorders. Of the men, 7.7% without any diseases had ever used e-cigarettes, while 7.7% and 6.4% of men with one disease or more than two diseases, respectively, had ever used e-cigarettes. Of the women, 3.5% without any diseases had ever used e-cigarettes, while 2.1% and 2.9% of women with one disease or more than two diseases, respectively, had ever used e-cigarettes. Percentage of heat-not-burn tobacco current or ever use was low (<0.1%) among both men and women. CONCLUSIONS Differences in the use of electronic and combustible cigarettes according to the number of diseases were not obvious. However, sex differences for smoking among chronic disease patients, especially in atopic dermatitis and mental disorders, were found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prevalence and impact of allergic and immune-mediated food disorders in pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) are mostly unknown. Objective: We sought to explore the prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD), asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR), IgE-mediated food allergies (FAs), and other immune-mediated food disorders requiring food avoidance in patients with PANS. In addition, to further understand the extent of food restriction in this population, we investigated the empiric use of dietary measures to improve PANS symptoms. Methods: Pediatric patients in a PANS Clinic and Research Program were given surveys regarding their caregiver burdens, allergic and food-related medical history, and whether food elimination resulted in perception of improvement of PANS symptoms. A review of health records was conducted to confirm that all responses in the survey were concordant with documentation of each patient's medical chart. Results: Sixty-nine (ages 4–20 years) of 80 subjects who fulfilled PANS criteria completed the surveys. Thirteen (18.8%) had AD, 11 (15.9%) asthma, 33 (47.8%) AR, 11 (15.9%) FA, 1 (1.4%) eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders, 1 (1.4%) food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome, 3 (4.3%) milk protein-induced proctocolitis syndrome, and 3 (4.3%) celiac disease. Thirty subjects (43.5%) avoided foods due to PANS; elimination of gluten and dairy was most common and was associated with perceived improvement of PANS symptoms (by parents). This perceived improvement was not confirmed with objective data. Conclusions: The prevalence of allergic and immune-mediated food disorders in PANS is similar to the general population as reported in the literature, with the exception of AR that appears to be more prevalent in our PANS cohort. More research will be required to establish whether diet or allergies influence PANS symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Asthma and allergic diseases account for school absenteeism and may limit academic and social opportunities for a substantial number of students, because they are common chronic disorders affecting school-aged children. We evaluated the prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases in Korean children, as well as associated school absenteeism. Methods: We administered a questionnaire-based survey to 148 asthma-friendly schools from 14 counties or cities in Gyeonggi province in South Korea. The questionnaire was modified from the ISAAC questionnaire, which consists of 13 questions regarding prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis, and the impact of these conditions on school attendance. Results: A total of 41,062 subjects (aged 7–12 years) were enrolled in this study. The overall lifetime prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis was 5.3%, 38.4%, and 25.0%, respectively. Among subjects who had ever been diagnosed with asthma, 9.1% missed school due to asthmatic complaints. Many subjects with allergic rhinitis (3.2%) or atopic dermatitis (1.8%) also responded that they had missed school because of their diseases. Subjects with current symptoms or having undergone a recent treatment for allergic rhinitis or atopic dermatitis had a significantly increased risk of missing school due to asthma. Conclusion: Asthma and allergic diseases present a substantial health and socioeconomic burden, as demonstrated by the prevalence and related school absenteeism among school-aged children in Korea. Coexisting symptomatic allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis are associated with increased risk of school absenteeism due to asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Many studies have reported that fermented foods have favorable effects in preventing and managing atopic dermatitis (AD). Although kimchi, a major fermented food, is an important part of the traditional diet in Korea, only a few studies have investigated the relationship between AD and kimchi. This study aimed to examine the association between the risk of AD and kimchi intake among Korean adults aged 19 to 49 years.Methods and Study Design: We conducted a population-based, cross-sectional study among a total of 7,222 adults who participated in the 2010-2012 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. We defined AD based on responses to a health interview and assessed kimchi intake using a 24-hour recall method administered by well-trained interviewers.Results: In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, we observed a significantly decreased odds ratio (OR) of having AD according to kimchi consumption after adjustment for confounding factors. In particular, subjects in the third quartile of kimchi consumption (85.0-158 g) had a 32% lower presence of AD than those in the first quartile of kimchi consumption (0-36.0 g) (Odds ratio: 0.68, 95% confidence interval: 0.50-0.92).Conclusions: We found that consuming 85.0-158 g/day of kimchi was significantly associated with a lower presence of AD. Considering that one serving size of kimchi is 40 g, this corresponds to about 2-4 servings per day. This finding suggests that adequate amount of kimchi intake might have a protective effect against AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To examine the prevalence of adult atopic dermatitis according to occupational status. Background While atopic dermatitis is more prevalent among children, some adults also suffer from it. The disease causes considerable difficulty in these adults' social lives at school or work, suggesting that they require high-quality health care. Given the chronic nature and environmental determinants of atopic dermatitis, its associations with occupational characteristics must be clarified. Design An exploratory cross-sectional analysis using secondary data. Method Participants were 662 people diagnosed with atopic dermatitis, all 19 years old or older; raw data were taken from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey V (2010-2012) and VI (2013-2014). Results Manual workers (adjusted odds ratio 2.50, 95% confidence interval, 1.30-4.83), paid workers (1.70, 1.15-2.51), regular workers (1.83, 1.18-2.85), and full-time workers (1.88, 1.23-2.89) all showed increased odds of currently suffering from atopic dermatitis. Conclusion Prevalence rates of atopic dermatitis differed by occupational characteristics, which suggests the need for interventions seeking to prevent symptom recurrence that are tailored to occupational characteristics. We expect this study to provide helpful baseline data for better policy-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The epidemiology of atopic dermatitis (AD) in Chinese outpatients is yet to be clarified. Objectives. To investigate population-based prevalence and clinical features of AD in Chinese outpatients. Methods. A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted in outpatients with eczema or dermatitis from 39 tertiary hospitals in 15 provinces. Results. This study included 682 patients diagnosed with AD, with the mean age of 28.8±20.1 years and the median course of 5.3±6.9 years. AD patients had more severe itching (30.4% versus 13.8%, p<0.001) and clinically suspected bacterial infection (21.7% versus 16.1%, p<0.001) than those of other types of dermatitis. Older patients were more susceptible to have a history of flexion dermatitis (p<0.001), bacterial infection (p=0.005), and severe itching (p<0.001). Outpatients with clinically suspected bacterial infection had 3.53-fold increased risk of AD than those without it (p<0.001). The morbidity rate of AD in the (20–25°N) region is 2.86 times higher than that in the (40–45°N) region [OR (95% CI): 0.352 (0.241–0.514), p<0.001]. Conclusions. AD is characterized by unique clinical/demographic features. Bacterial infection and latitude region may have an impact on the incidence of AD in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Difficulty in sleep is one disturbing symptom in adolescents with atopic diseases including asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis. Assuming psychological stress can affect adolescents’ health status, impaired sleep quality can be one mediator that negatively impacts the health status of adolescents with atopic disease. Objectives This study aimed to identify the mediating effect of sleep satisfaction on the relationship between stress and perceived health status in Korean adolescents with atopic disease and to examine the differences among three types of atopic disease. Design A cross-sectional descriptive study was completed based on secondary analysis of raw data from the 2013 9th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey. Settings and participants The 21,154 adolescents (29.2%) ever diagnosed and treated for at least one atopic disease regardless of the symptom presence in a recent year were extracted out of 72,435 survey participants. Then, the 13,216 individuals with exclusively single atopic diseases were included in analyzing the mediation model. Methods Variables including demographics, stress, perceived health status, and sleep satisfaction were included. Pearson correlation, one-way ANOVA, path analysis to define direct/indirect effects with bootstrapping analysis, and multi-group variance analysis were conducted. Results High levels of stress in adolescents with atopic diseases had a significant and direct effect on their negative health status perception for all atopic disease groups. A significant negative mediating effect of sleep satisfaction was identified on the relationship between stress and perceived health status, irrespective of the type of atopic disease. Total effect and remaining direct effect on the path from stress and perceived health status via sleep satisfaction was high in adolescents with atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis compared to those with asthma. Conclusions To improve sleep satisfaction for adolescents with atopic diseases, interventions are needed to enhance the adolescents’ perceived health status through stress reduction and sleep quality improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atopic dermatitis is a common skin disease in adolescents, which may have a negative effect on the mental and emotional health. We investigated the relationship between atopic dermatitis and suicidal behaviors in Korean adolescents. Participants included 74,186 adolescents (38,221 boys and 35,965 girls) in middle and high school who completed the Eighth Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey. There were significant associations between atopic dermatitis and suicidal behaviors for girls. The overestimation of weight perception might have an additive impact on suicidal risk among girls. However, there were no significant associations between atopic dermatitis and suicidal behaviors in boys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: The incidence of atopic dermatitis (AD) is continuously increasing in industrialized countries, possibly due to dietary and lifestyle changes. However, the association between processed food intake and AD has not been studied in a large adult population.Methods and Study Design: We investigated the association between dietary habits and AD in 17,497 adults in the 2009-2011 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES).Results: We identified 4 dietary patterns using principal components analysis of a 63-item food frequency questionnaire: the "traditional dietary pattern", rich in rice and kimchi; the "processed food pattern", with more meat, instant noodles, soda, and processed foods; the "healthy dietary pattern", high in grains, vegetables, fruits, and seaweeds; and the "drinking dietary pattern", mainly drinking coffee and alcohol. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for AD were calculated according to dietary patterns after adjusting for potential confounders with incorporation of sample weights for the complex sample design. The "meat and processed food" pattern was associated with a significant 1.57 fold higher OR for atopic dermatitis than the low consumption group. Further analysis revealed that the increased atopic dermatitis was most closely associated with instant noodles. In contrast, the groups with high intake of rice and kimchi exhibited lower ORs, 0.38 and 0.43 folds, compared to the low intake group.Conclusion: Consuming instant noodles, meat and processed foods was associated with increased prevalence of atopic dermatitis, whereas consuming rice and kimchi, and coffee was associated with decreased prevalence of atopic dermatitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) has continuously increased throughout the world in every age group, and the recent increase in AD in Korean adults may be related to changes in nutrient intakes due to westernization of dietary patterns. We hypothesized that the prevalence of AD is associated with the different dietary patterns and fermented food intakes of the Korean adult population. We examined the hypothesis using 9763 adults 19 years or older using the 2012-2013 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We identified 4 dietary patterns in addition to that including fermented foods using principal component analysis on data obtained from a 116-item validated semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire: meat and processed foods; vegetables, fruits, legumes, seafood, and seaweed; rice and grains; and coffee, chocolate, and ice cream. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for AD were calculated according to dietary patterns after adjusting for potential confounders. High levels of consumption (>92 times/month) of fermented foods such as doenjang, chungkookjang, kimchi, fermented seafood, makgeolli, and beer were associated with a lower prevalence of AD (OR, 0.56; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.37-0.84). In contrast, high levels of consumption of meat and processed foods were strongly associated with the prevalence of AD (OR, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.48-3.94). Interestingly, the consumption of coffee, chocolate, and ice cream was significantly negatively associated with the prevalence of AD (OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.34-0.82). In conclusion, the hypothesis was accepted. The results can be applied to nutrition education programs for the general population to decrease risk factors for AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Studies about the association between vitamin D and allergic disease and the immune-modulatory function of vitamin D have increased in the recent years. However, not enough studies have been conducted for concrete conclusion about the association vitamin D and allergy. We investigate the association between serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels in Korean adults.Methods: We used data of 1969 subjects from the 2010 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Total IgE, Dermatophagoides farinae (Df)-specific IgE, and serum 25(OH)D levels were analyzed. Other variables included sex, age, body mass index, smoking history, and economic status. Adjusted regression analysis was used to examine the independent association of 25(OH)D with serum IgE levels.Results: When we divided all subjects into four groups according to the serum 25(OH)D level: Q1 (lowest), Q2, Q3, and Q4 (highest), the median TIgE level increased with higher quartiles in the Kruskal-Wallis test (p<0.001). Also, the prevalence of Df sensitization was highest in Q4. Serum vitamin D was positively associated with logarithmic transformed total IgE with base of 10 (LogTIgE) (coefficient (B), 0.011; 95% confidence interval, 0.001-0.021). Furthermore, a positive association between 25(OH)D and LogTIgE was found only in men with Df sensitization, but not in men without Df sensitization and women with/without Df sensitization. However, the mean serum 25(OH)D level was significantly lower in participants who were clinically diagnosed with asthma or atopic dermatitis than participants without a history of asthma or atopic dermatitis, respectively.Conclusion: Serum 25(OH)D levels were positively associated with total IgE levels. Furthermore, the association between serum 25(OH)D and total IgE levels could vary depending on sex or allergic sensitization. But, the mean serum 25(OH)D level was lower in participants with asthma or atopic dermatitis history than participants without history of asthma or atopic dermatitis. Prospective further studies will be required to verify this discrepancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Various international reports have shown that socioeconomic and sociodemographic variables are correlated with allergic diseases; however, little is known about how these variables affect Korean adolescents. This study was conducted to identify socioeconomic and sociodemographic risk factors for allergic diseases in Korean adolescents to provide information for preventing and managing such conditions.Methods: Data from the 2011 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (KYRBWS-VII) of 75,643 adolescents were used. An anonymously administered online survey was conducted to collect dependent variable information on perceived sexes, residence, family affluence (Family Affluence Scale; FAS), parental education levels, subjective academic achievement, obesity, drinking and smoking. The independent variables were asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the correlations between the dependent and independent variables.Results: Low subjective academic achievement, obesity, drinking and smoking were risk factors for asthma. High FAS, parental bachelor's degree and high subjective academic achievement were risk factors for allergic rhinitis. Finally, high FAS, maternal bachelor's degree and high subjective academic achievement were risk factors for atopic dermatitis.Conclusion: We found that high socioeconomic status (SES) was a risk factor for allergic diseases in Korean adolescents. We propose that the greater access to medical services and immunization (e.g., hygiene hypothesis) afforded by high SES influenced the prevalence of allergic diseases. Thus, as the Korean economy develops further, the prevalence of allergic diseases is likely to increase. Controlling harmful behavioral risk factors, such as drinking and smoking, may help to prevent adolescent allergic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population-based cross-sectional study was performed to estimate the prevalence of chemical intolerance and to examine the characteristics of the sample. A Web-based survey was conducted that included 7,245 adults in Japan. The criteria for chemical intolerance proposed by Skovbjerg yielded a prevalence of 7.5% that was approximately consistent with that reported from a Danish population-based survey. Female gender, older age, and renovation in the house during the past 7 years were positively associated with chemical intolerance. Improvements in the condition were observed with daily ventilation habits. Medical history of atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, food allergy, multiple chemical sensitivity, and depression were associated with chemical intolerance. Fatigue, depressed mood, and somatic symptoms were also positively correlated with chemical intolerance. Better elucidation of the causes, comorbidities, concomitants, and consequences of chemical intolerance has the potential to provide effective solutions for its prevention and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Aim: Studies on the associations between mode of delivery and allergic diseases have produced different results, and research has rarely been conducted in Asian countries such as South Korea. This study assessed the relationship between mode of delivery and atopic dermatitis and asthma in Korean adolescents.Methods: Data collected from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2010 and 2011 were used. We included 1302 adolescents aged from 12 to 18 years, and multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed.Results: The odds ratio (OR) of having atopic dermatitis in adolescents born by Caesarean section compared with vaginal delivery was 1.50, with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of 1.01-2.22, after adjusting for age and sex. The association remained significant after further adjustments for body mass index, breastfeeding and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level (OR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.05-2.47) and when fat intake was added to those variables (OR = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.14-2.85). However, asthma was not associated with mode of delivery in any of the models.Conclusions: Atopic dermatitis in adolescents was associated with Caesarean delivery, which is common in South Korea. The findings suggest that the frequency of this practice should be reconsidered and that further research with longitudinal evaluation of relevant mechanisms is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This analysis was conducted with the objective of evaluating association between waterpipe passive smoking exposure and asthma, and allergies among Lebanese children.Material and Methods: Data were taken from a crosssectional study on children from public and private schools. A sample of 22 schools participated in the study, where standardized written core questionnaires were distributed. From 5 to 12-year-old students filled in the questionnaires at home, while 13-14-year-old students filled it in in the class. In total, 5522 children were evaluated for the prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic eczema, and their associated factors, including waterpipe exposure due to parents' smoking.Results: The descriptive results of parental smoking were, as follows: among mothers: 1609 (29%) mothers smoked cigarettes, 385 (7%) smoked waterpipe and 98 (1.8%) smoked both; among fathers: 2449 (44.2%) smoked cigarettes, 573 (10.3%) smoked waterpipe and 197 (3.5%) smoked both. Maternal waterpipe smoking was significantly and moderately associated with allergic diseases (p < 0.001; ORa = 1.71), including probable asthma, rhinitis and dermatitis (p < 0.001 for all). Quite on the opposite, father's waterpipe smoking was not associated with any of the diseases. Parental cigarette smoking demonstrated some positive effects: father's cigarette smoking did not show association with dermatitis or asthma diagnosed by a physician, while mother's cigarette smoking showed a positive association only with probable asthma. Moreover, no interactions between cigarette and waterpipe smoking were observed.Conclusions: Maternal waterpipe smoking should be regarded as a high risk behavior; however, additional studies are necessary to confirm this finding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of atopic disease (AD) in adults has significantly increased in industrialized countries. Psychological traits and lack of skills to cope with stress could be maintaining factors of AD. The first aim of the present study was to compare sense of coherence (SOC), depression, and anger among adult patients with AD, adults with remission from AD, and adults without AD. The second aim was to explore whether depression and anger have significant impacts on SOC. A cross-sectional survey was carried out from May to September of 2007. In total, 43 adult patients with AD, 32 adults with remission from AD, and 63 adults without AD participated. A one-way analysis of variance showed that adult patients with AD have significantly higher levels of depression than adults with remission from AD and adults without AD. Furthermore, structural equation modeling indicated a significant impact of depression on SOC across the three groups, along with a significant impact of anger suppression on depression, particularly in adult patients with AD. The findings of this study suggest that psychological traits have a negative impact on skills for coping with stress, and that this relationship might be a contributory factor for maintenance of AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe current status in management of children with atopic dermatitis and to examine knowledge and care practices of preschool teachers. Methods: A survey using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted. Knowledge and practice were measured with the questionnaire by Park (2011). Data were analysed using SPSS.WIN 20.0. Results: Of the teachers, 81.3% managed children with atopic dermatitis depending on parents' needs and 58.9% reported difficulties due to limited knowledge and expressed a need for continuing education and provision of educational guidelines. Preschool teachers had a mean score for knowledge about atopic dermatitis of .75 out of 1 point. Among three domains of knowledge, signs & symptoms had the highest score and management, the lowest. The mean score for care practices for children with atopic dermatitis was 3.4 out of 4 points. Among the four domains of care practices, food had the highest score and dress & bedclothes, the lowest. Knowledge and practice of the teachers were different according to responsibility in management and educational need. The correlation between knowledge and practice was not significant. Conclusion: These results suggest that educational programs and strategies should be developed to increase preschool teachers' knowledge and improve care practice for children with atopic dermatitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asthma and allergic rhinitis are chronic inflammatory airway diseases which often occur concomitantly. The objective of the LARA program was to identify the comorbidities and characteristics of asthma (A), intermittent or persistent rhinitis (IPR) and physician defined atopic dermatitis (AD) in 6- to 16-year old asthmatic Swiss children and adolescents. Overall, 126 general practitioners and paediatricians collected the data of 670 asthmatics. Approximately one third of the asthmatic children in Switzerland had well-controlled asthma. Almost two thirds of these asthmatics suffered from concomitant IPR. The latter presented with significantly less symptoms while the treatment rates with inhaled corticosteroids (approximately 90%) and leukotriene-receptorantagonists (approximately 50%) were comparable. However, there were almost twice as many passive smokers in the less well-controlled group. The prevalence of AD was similar in both groups. IPR and AD may play an important role as risk factors in the future development of asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influx of immigrants to urban areas throughout the United States has raised concerns about accessibility of safe, affordable housing and the health consequences of poor-quality housing, particularly among immigrant children. We conducted a population-based study of home environmental conditions among recently immigrated Mexican families (weighted n = 473), generally of low socioeconomic status, and the health conditions of their children, in an urban industrial area north of Denver, Colorado. The majority of recent immigrants had low socioeconomic status; virtually all had household incomes below the Colorado median ($50,841). Approximately one quarter of homes were overcrowded. Adverse environmental conditions were present across recent immigrant homes. These conditions include dampness or mold (44%), pests (28%), and minimal to no ventilation potential (26%), all of which are associated with asthma and atopic diseases. At least one of these three environmental hazards was found in 67% of homes; multiple hazards were present in 27% of homes. Children of recent immigrant families had active symptoms within the past 12 months suggestive of asthma (4%) and atopic disorders (10%); however, fewer than 2% had been diagnosed with these conditions. The prevalence of asthma and atopic symptoms among Mexican immigrant children, albeit lower than in other low income and minority communities, is partially explained by housing conditions. Many of the conditions identified (e.g., pest infestation, mold resulting from plumbing leaks, and lack of exhaust fans) are amenable to low cost interventions. Solutions to address unhealthy housing conditions among recent immigrants must be multi-faceted and include strategies that target household-level improvements and access to health care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background A ‘protective farm factor’ possibly related to livestock exposure is hypothesized to reduce the risk for allergic sensitization. Objective The purpose of this study was to determine whether 4-H club youth, who have opportunities for contact with livestock through club activities, have reduced risks of respiratory and allergic symptoms according to residence on a farm or exposure to livestock. Methods A cross-sectional postal survey was completed by British Columbia 4-H members 8–20 years of age; a subset underwent skin prick testing as well. The association of farm residence and livestock exposure variables with symptoms were evaluated using logistic regression with adjustment for age, sex, cat and/or dog ownership, parental history of allergic disease, parental education, number of older siblings and exposure to smokers at home. Results Questionnaires were completed by 1158 participants (response rate 50.3%); of these, a subset of 317 had skin prick tests (SPTs) (response rate 64.4%). Current residence on a farm was associated with a lower prevalence of ever having wheeze and asthma, as well as symptoms of atopic dermatitis. Variables relating to residence in a farm or rural area with livestock were more strongly associated with respiratory and allergic symptoms than were the livestock exposure variables such as frequency of contact and hours of barn use. The adjusted odds ratios for living in a farm residence in comparison with a rural non-livestock area were 0.49 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.27–0.89) for diagnosed asthma, 0.51 (95% CI 0.30–0.85) for allergic rhinitis and 0.45 (95% CI 0.24–0.84) for atopic dermatitis. Conclusion Our findings suggest that some aspects of the farm environment, not just attributable to contact with livestock, were protective for respiratory and allergic conditions among 4-H youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is common in children in industrialized countries. Only one large population study on its prevalence has been conducted in Italy, based on self-report questionnaire. The present study was designed to estimate the prevalence of AD in schoolchildren in Italy by dermatologists’ assessment and by UK Working Party criteria, and to investigate associated symptoms and factors. Methods: Cross-sectional survey on a random sample of 9-year-old schoolchildren from seven Italian cities. Children were examined by experienced dermatologists. Parents and teachers answered standardized questionnaires. Results: Of the 1369 children examined, 88 had a diagnosis of AD, with an estimated point prevalence of 5.8% (95% CI 4.5–7.1) in the reference population. The reported lifetime prevalence was 15.2 (95% CI 12.2–18.2) for AD, 11.9% (95% CI 9.0–14.8) for asthma, and 17.6% (95% CI 14.6–20.7) for rhino-conjunctivitis. The strongest associated factor was the presence of AD in at least one parent. No association of AD with maternal smoking during pregnancy, birth weight, maternal age at the time of the child birth and breast-feeding was observed. The environmental characteristics of the house and the school did not correlate with the prevalence of AD. Episodes of lower respiratory tract infections were associated with asthma, and to a lower extent also with AD and rhinitis. Conclusions: The prevalence of doctor-diagnosed AD in Italian schoolchildren is comparable to those reported for other developed countries. Family history of atopy was the single most important associated factor, while the complex interplay of environmental factors remains to be elucidated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This Medical News & Perspectives article describes a report showing that the prevalence of atopic eczema rebounds in older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aimed to examine the association between smoking type and the prevalence of atopic dermatitis and asthma in men and women. Background: Cases of allergic diseases have been steadily increasing worldwide. Smoking is associated with serious diseases. Only a few studies have assessed the association between smoking and atopic dermatitis and asthma in adults, and gender difference studies are scarce despite a significant difference in smoking rates. Methods: We conducted a secondary cross‐sectional analysis of 17 886 adults with atopic dermatitis and 17 889 with asthma aged ≥19 years, using raw data from the Fifth Korea national Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010‐2012). Results: The prevalence of atopic dermatitis in men was not associated with active or passive smoking, whereas asthma prevalence in men was associated with indoor passive smoking exposure at home. We found that atopic dermatitis prevalence in women was associated with current smoking status, whereas asthma prevalence in women was associated with the presence of an indoor daily smoker at home and indoor passive smoking exposure at home. Conclusion: Asthmatic adults should be informed of the hazards of passive smoking, and women with atopic dermatitis should in particular be dissuaded from smoking. What is already known about this topic? The number of cases of allergic diseases has been steadily increasing worldwide over the past few decades.The association between allergic diseases and smoking remains controversial, and further clarification is required.There is a significant difference between the smoking rates of men and women. What this paper adds? There were associations between smoking types and the prevalence of atopic dermatitis and asthma for men and women.The prevalence of atopic dermatitis in men was not associated with active or passive smoking, whereas asthma prevalence in men was associated with indoor passive smoking exposure at home.We found that atopic dermatitis prevalence in women was associated with current smoking status, whereas asthma prevalence in women was associated with the presence of an indoor daily smoker at home and indoor passive smoking exposure at home. The implications of this study: Asthmatic adults should be informed of the hazards of passive smoking.Women with atopic dermatitis should especially be dissuaded from smoking.Education is also needed to explain the hazards of passive smoking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study that determine the association between atopic dermatitis and attention deficit (hyperactivity) disorder (ADD/ADHD) in children and adults and described the factors that contribute to such an association. Topics discussed include the pooled prevalence of atopic dermatitis and the pooled prevalence of ADD/ADHD and comments on the study.

This article focuses on the first case report of Atopic myelitis reported outside Japan. Atopic myelitis is a syndrome which was thought to be a peculiarly Japanese phenomenon. A recent Japanese nationwide survey has identified 79 patient with the disease. This condition is characterized by the association between allergic and central nervous system diseases, although the pathogenetic mechanism is unknown. The disease affects a young to middleaged adult population with atopic diathesis.