342 Epidemiology of Atopic Dermatitis in the Allergy Service of a Third Level Medical Center

BACKGROUND: The creation of an Allergy service was required because of the high frequency of allergic diseases among paediatric population in the general consultation of a third level medical centre. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to report the cases of Atopic Dermatitis (AD) in the Allergy service from a Third level medical centre since its creation in July 2005. METHODS: This is a descriptive, retrospective, transversal study from July 2005 to February 2011. Selected medical records of patients, some records supplied by the Dermatology service, applied for diagnostic criteria for an allergy disease. The EAACI/AAAI/PRACTALL/ 2006 guide was used to make diagnosis of AD. Patients were classified by age and sex and find out how many skin prick test were made in such patients, and how many patients began immunotherapy. RESULTS: Thirteen thousand seven hundred thirty seven consultations were attended in the Allergy service between the time period mentioned above. Two thousand three hundred thirty seven medical records of patients were selected, 1608 patients applied for a specific diagnosis for an allergy diseases as follows: Asthma 411; atopic conjuctivitis 58; atopic dermatitis 180; allergic rhinitis 869; and urticaria 90.869 patients completed criteria for allergic rhinitis. From 180 patients with diagnosis of AD, 111 (61.6%) patients were female, 69 (38.4%) patients were male. Ninety six (53.3%) patients were found to be in the range of 0 to 9 years. The mayority of atopic dermatitis patients were females in the range of 0 to 14 years, with 82 (45.5%) patients. There was an increase of atopic dermatitis cases in females in the range of 30 years compared with males (F 10/ M 3). In 111 patients with DA skin prick test were made, only in 76 (42%) patients were positive and began treatment with immunotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, AD represents the third cause of allergy disease in frequency among children. AD requires interdisciplinary management because of dermatological and allergological aspects for treatment, including immunotherapy. Education of parents and patients is also an important task in the treatment of AD. The results of this study are helpful to improve specialized medical attention in paediatric patients and adults with AD.