Psoriasis, dermatitis research potentially reduces risk of serious medical conditions

Research on atopic dermatitis and psoriasis in children and adolescents is helping to better manage and potentially reduce risk of serious medical conditions associated with the skin conditions, according to a news release from this week’s American Academy of Dermatology Summer Academy Meeting in Boston.

Chronic skin conditions can be a source of physical and emotional pain for children, Lawrence F. Eichenfield, MD, FAAD, chief of pediatric and adolescent dermatology at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego, said during a presentation.

Lawrence F. Eichenfield

Atopic dermatitis, the most common form of eczema, is associated with increased incidence of asthma, hay fever and food allergies, Eichenfield said. Researchers believe that small genetic mutations in proteins present in the epidermis are responsible for dry skin that can lead to eczema and are associated with much higher rates of asthma and peanut allergies. This research suggests that peanut allergies might be caused by skin contact rather than eating foods with peanuts, Eichenfield said.

Researchers also are questioning whether higher rates of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder might be caused by sleep disturbances common in children with atopic dermatitis, he said.

Psoriasis is associated with higher rates of obesity in children, as well as diabetes, lipid abnormalities and hypertension, Eichenfield said.

He presented related studies:

A case-controlled study compared medical conditions in children with psoriasis and those without, finding that 50% of patients with psoriasis were overweight or obese compared to 32% of children without psoriasis.
A study discovered that 45% of children with psoriasis had at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease (abnormal liver function tests, fasting glucose or lipid levels) compared with less than one-third of the patients without psoriasis.

Future research should examine whether obesity is causing higher rates of psoriasis or if they are occurring together, Eichenfield said. He added that children with psoriasis should be assessed for cardiovascular risk factors in order to try to decrease the risks in adulthood.

“Atopic dermatitis and psoriasis can have a significant impact on children and families, which is why further research in understanding and managing these skin conditions is so critical,” Eichenfield said. “The recognition that atopic dermatitis and psoriasis are associated with other potentially serious medical conditions has fueled research in new therapies to manage these conditions. It is important to note that these … skin conditions can be managed effectively.”