Risk factors of atopic dermatitis in Korean schoolchildren: 2010 international study of asthma and allergies in childhood

Background & Objective: We aimed to analyse the risk factors of atopic dermatitis (AD) in Korean schoolchildren in 2010. Methods: A nationwide, cross-sectional study was conducted in children aged 6-7 years and adolescents aged 12-13 years who were randomly selected. Information was obtained through a Korean version of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire (ISAAC), and skin prick tests were performed. AD-diagnosed children were selected for risk factor analysis by using logistic regression. Results: We enrolled 4,003 children (M/F=2,021/ 1,982) in aged 6-7 years and 4,112 children (M/F=2,029/2,083) in 12-13 years. In children aged 6-7 years, the lifetime prevalence of AD diagnosis was 35.6% (N=1,424). On the other hand, in the 12 to 13 year age group, the lifetime prevalence of AD diagnosis was 24.2% (N=981). In the univariate logistic regression analysis in 6- 7 year-old children, possible risk factors were atopy, a parental history of allergic disease, the use of antibiotics during infancy, a history of having moved into a newly built house during infancy, the presence of visible mould in the house, and remodelling of house within 12 months. The statistical significance persisted after adjustment. However, antibiotic use during infancy and remodelling within 12 months showed no statistical significance as a risk factor for AD. In contrast, multivariate logistic regression analysis in adolescents demonstrated that female sex, atopy, a parental history of allergic diseases, the presence of visible mould in the house, and a history of having moved into a newly built house during infancy was associated with AD. There was no significant association between AD and other risk factors. Conclusion: In Korean schoolchildren, risk factors such as atopy, the presence of parental allergic diseases, moving into a newly built house during infancy and visible mould in the house were associated with AD.