Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is often associated with comorbidities such as allergic rhinitis and asthma.
Objective: We sought to describe the frequency of these comorbidities in children with AD.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of the first 2270 children with physician-confirmed AD enrolled in a large postmarketing cohort. All were queried for information on comorbidities using a questionnaire from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood.
Results: In all, 71.3% reported at least one additional form of atopy (symptoms of asthma or allergic rhinitis). A total of 33.3% reported only symptoms of asthma or allergic rhinitis whereas 38.0% reported symptoms of asthma and allergic rhinitis. By age 3 years, nearly 66% reported at least one additional form of atopy. A statistically significant trend toward poorer disease control was observed for those with additional atopic illnesses (P < .001).
Limitations: This is a cross-sectional study.
Conclusion: Individuals with AD exhibit a predisposition to additional atopic illnesses by age 3 years and in turn the presence of these illnesses correlates with poor disease control.