Patients with both atopic dermatitis and common FLG mutations are more frequently affected by reduced HRQoL.

Studies suggest that vitamin D may be involved in the pathogenesis of allergic disorders, asthma and decreased lung function. However, results are inconsistent and only few prospective studies have examined adults. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (s25(OH)D) with atopy, atopic dermatitis (AD), asthma, wheezing and impaired lung function in a prospective study of Danish adults. A random sample of 3471 persons was examined in 2006-2008. Of these, 2308 were re-examined 5 years later. s25(OH)D and specific IgE against four common inhalant allergens were measured by standard procedures. Wheezing, asthma and AD were assessed from questionnaires and lung function was measured by spirometry. We found no statistically significant associations between s25(OH)D and prevalence or incidence of atopy, AD, asthma or wheezing. Associations with lung function were inconsistent. We conclude that vitamin D status does not influence these conditions in adults.

SummaryBackground Information about predictive factors of hand eczema is crucial for primary prevention. Objectives To investigate predictive factors of hand eczema in adult Danes from the general population. Methods Participants from a cross-sectional 5-year follow-up study in the general population, aged 18-72 years (n = 2270), completed questionnaires about skin health and were grouped into four hand eczema groups: 'never', 'incident', 'nonpersistent' and 'persistent'. Multiple logistic regression models adjusted for age group and sex were used to evaluate associations with baseline variables. The participation rate for the follow-up study was 66Á5% (29Á7% of the participants originally invited to the baseline study). Results A history of atopic dermatitis (AD) was associated with both persistent and incident hand eczema [odds ratio (OR) 9Á0, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 5Á6-14Á4 and OR 3Á0, 95% CI 1Á7-5Á2, respectively]. Thus, even in adulthood, a history of AD should be considered as a predictor of incident hand eczema. While filaggrin gene (FLG) null mutations were not associated with incident hand eczema, a statistically significant association was observed with persistent hand eczema (OR 3Á1, 95% CI 1Á8-5Á2). Finally, contact sensitization (23 allergens without nickel) was also associated with persistent hand eczema (OR 2Á5, 95% CI 1Á2-5Á0), independently of a history of AD. Conclusions This study confirms a history of AD as the strongest predictor of persistent hand eczema. We additionally found that a history of AD was associated with incident hand eczema in adults, in contrast to FLG mutations, which were associated only with persistent hand eczema in individuals with a history of AD, and not with incident hand eczema. Our study adds new knowledge to the interplay between AD, FLG mutations and hand eczema in the adult general population.