RESUMO
Background : Atopic dermatitis(AD) is a common disease, and population-based studies indicate that the frequency of AD has increased substantially during recent decades. However, there have been few studies on the hospital based relative frequency, and clinical and laborat,ory findings of AD in Korea. OBJECTIVE: The presenl study was aimed to elucidate the relative frequency of AD on the outpatient base, and to investigate the clinical manifestations and immunological laboratory findings. METHODS: Our study was designed by analysing outpatients with AD via physical examination, questionnaires and immunological investigations such as skin prick tests, Multi test CMI, and measurernent of eosinophil counts, total IgE, Derrnatophagoides pteronyssinus-specific IgE and eosinophil cationic protein(ECP). RESULTS: The results were as follows : 1. The relat,ive frequen:y of AD on the hospital base in 1995-1996 was 8.6%. 2. The mean age of onset was 3.36 years. 57.3% of the patients had their onset of eczema by the age of 1 year, 65.5% by 2 years and 83% by 5 years. The most common site at the onset was the face followed by antecubital area, popliteal area, neck, and trunk. 3. The predilection site on physical examination were the face, neck, antecubit,al area, popliteal area and trunk in decreesing order. 4. Concomitant allergic rhinitis, keratoconjunctivitis and asthma were present in 2~3.4%, 14.1%, and 9.5% of patients with AD, respect.ively, whereas pure AD was present in 34.1%. 5. Family history of atopy was observed in 60.5% of AD patient.s. 6. The most frequent ninor fea~ture of AD was xerosis followed by perifollicular accentuation, allergic shiner, cheilitis, imitation allergy, palrnar hyperlinearity and molluscum cantagiosum. 7. Seasonal aggravation was found in 86.8% of patients with AD, especially in summer and winter, The rnost significant aggravating factors were wools followed by sweating, heating, dryness, excessive bat.hing and emotional stress. 8. Abnormal levels of .osinophils, total IgE and ECP were seen in 44.8%, 78.9% and 31.7% Of patients with AD, respec.ively. 9. Cell mediated immunty was decreased in 68.2% of patients with AD. 10. Positive reactivity( at least rnore than one allergen) in the skin prick t,est was noted in 76% of pat,ients with AD and the most popular 8 allergens were D. pteronyssinus, D. farinae, cat fur, M4 mixed threshing dust., dog hair, mugwort pollen, H3 tree pollen and birch pollen. 11. The specific IgE aritibodies to D. pteronyssinus(>+1) were found in 72.3% of AD patients and correlated with the r esults of the skin prick test in 76%. CONCLUSION: The hospi al-based relative frequency of AD investigated in our study tends to be increased. As the clinica features and laboratory findings of AD might be influenced by genetic, environrnental and psychological factors, the systernic evaluation of patients with AD will be needed.