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

BACKGROUND: Several epidemiological studies have shown that the atopic tendency increases in the obese population. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to confirm the effect of weight reduction on improvement of atopic dermatitis (AD) symptoms and to investigate the relationship between AD severity and the level of serum adipokines. METHODS: Forty subjects who were AD outpatients were recruited for this study. Obese patients were divided into a weight maintenance group and weight reduction group. During the study period, patient information was collected that included measured body mass index (BMI), Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), and visual analogue scale for pruritus. Adiponectin, leptin, eosinophil count, and total immunoglobulin E were also tested. RESULTS: In the weight reduction group, there was a significant improvement in the EASI score, however, no significant improvement was determined in the weight maintenance group. BMI and EASI showed positive correlation. The adiponectin level was lower in AD patients compared to healthy controls, and it was significantly lower in obese patients compared with normal weight patients. Serum levels of leptin were significantly different among control, obese patient group, and normal weight patient group. There was no statistically significant relationship between serum adipokine level and EASI. CONCLUSION: In our study, weight reduction was associated with significant improvement of AD symptoms. Related adipokine levels were significantly different among the control, normal weight AD patient group, and obese AD patient group.