Effect of Weight Reduction on Treatment Outcomes for Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

ABSTRACT

Background@#Several epidemiological studies have shownthat the atopic tendency increases in the obese population. @*Objective@#The aim of this study was to confirm the effect ofweight reduction on improvement of atopic dermatitis (AD)symptoms and to investigate the relationship between AD severityand the level of serum adipokines. @*Methods@#Forty subjectswho were AD outpatients were recruited for this study.Obese patients were divided into a weight maintenancegroup and weight reduction group. During the study period,patient information was collected that included measuredbody mass index (BMI), Eczema Area and Severity Index(EASI), and visual analogue scale for pruritus. Adiponectin,leptin, eosinophil count, and total immunoglobulin E werealso tested. @*Results@#In the weight reduction group, there wasa significant improvement in the EASI score, however, no significantimprovement was determined in the weight maintenancegroup. BMI and EASI showed positive correlation.The adiponectin level was lower in AD patients compared tohealthy controls, and it was significantly lower in obese patients compared with normal weight patients. Serum levels ofleptin were significantly different among control, obese patientgroup, and normal weight patient group. There was nostatistically significant relationship between serum adipokinelevel and EASI. @*Conclusion@#In our study, weight reductionwas associated with significant improvement of ADsymptoms. Related adipokine levels were significantly differentamong the control, normal weight AD patient group, andobese AD patient group.