Prevalence and Factors Influencing Atopic Dermatitis in Korean Adults in Relation to Vitamin D Levels: Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008-2013

Abstract

Purpose: The objective of this study was to identify the factors related to atopic dermatitis and its prevalence among Korean adults, and to examine the relationship of vitamin D levels to AD prevalence. Methods: Combined data from the 2008-2013 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed by using the chi-squared test and multivariable logistic regression. Results: AD prevalence among 27,860 Korean adults was 2.7% and varied significantly with age, body mass index, and vitamin D levels, as well as presence of asthma, depression, and stress. Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were found in 66.8% and 27.5%, respectively. Only 5.7% had sufficient vitamin D levels. Age and asthma were factors associated with an increased prevalence of AD in those with vitamin D deficiency (7.57 times and 2.87 times, respectively), and insufficiency (4.42 times and 2.58 times). However, there were no such risk factors in patients with sufficient vitamin D levels. Conclusion: This study showed that patients with higher vitamin D levels have decreased AD prevalence despite risk factors. Development of an intervention program including lifestyle improvement is suggested.

Depressive Symptoms and Sleep Disturbance in Female Nurses with Atopic Dermatitis: The Korea Nurses’ Health Study

“…This finding can be attributed to participants in their 20s being more likely to be single. Such results are consistent with previous studies showing that the prevalence of AD decreased as age increased [3,9,32]. The prevalence of AD in Korean adults is high in people in their 20s and tends to decrease with age, as the high prevalence of childhood and adolescence tends to be maintained in young adults [32].…”

“…The prevalence of adult AD varies widely from country to country, as it is 2.7-3.1% in Korea [3,4] and 7.3% in the United States [5]. AD has a significantly higher prevalence among females (9.3-10%) than males [5,6], and the Nurses' Health Study 2 (NHS2), which analyzed nurse health in the United States, reported that the prevalence of AD among female nurses was 10.1%, higher than that among all adults [7].…”

Sex-Based Differences in the Association between Nutrition Label Awareness and the Prevalence of Atopic Dermatitis: A Cross-Sectional Survey

“…The 2008 data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey showed that education, economic status and urban residence are associated with atopic dermatitis [2]. In a 2008-2013 data analysis, economic status and residential area were not related to atopic dermatitis [31]. In this study, education, economic status and urban residence were irrelevant.…”