EADV 2023: The Association Between Atopic Dermatitis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study in A Specialized Atopic Dermatitis Clinic

This study investigates the potential association between atopic dermatitis (AD) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in a tertiary dermatology clinic. AD and IBD are known to share genetic susceptibility loci related to immune regulation, and database studies have suggested a connection between the two conditions. This research aims to determine if AD is linked to a higher prevalence of IBD in a clinical setting. A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted using medical records of adults with confirmed AD who were being treated at an AD clinic. These AD patients were compared to age- and sex-matched controls from the general dermatology clinic within the same hospital. The results indicate that 2.47% of AD patients (9 out of 364) had verified IBD, while only 0.97% of the control group (7 out of 725) had IBD, though the difference was not initially significant. However, after adjusting for age, gender, and smoking in a multivariable logistic regression analysis, a significant association emerged, with an adjusted odds ratio of 3.89. Further analysis revealed that the association between AD and IBD was primarily substantial in cases of moderate-to-severe AD. Mild AD did not show a significant connection with IBD, but the study was not adequately powered to draw strong conclusions for this subgroup. Additionally, older age was associated with a higher risk of IBD within the AD group. In conclusion, this study, conducted on a well-verified cohort of patients, strengthens the evidence of an association between AD and IBD, particularly in cases of moderate-to-severe AD. It underscores the importance of considering the link between these two conditions in clinical practice and research.