Comorbidities and Environmental Factors Associated with Atopic Dermatitis in Children and Adults in Dermatology-Venereology in Cotonou, Benin

Abstract

Introduction. The objective of this work was to document the comorbidities and environmental factors associated with atopic dermatitis (AD) in dermatology Venereology in Cotonou. Methods. A cross-sectional, prospective, and analytical study included, from January 2016 to December 2018, in the Dermatology-Venereology Department of the National Teaching Hospital Hubert Koutoukou Maga (CNHU-HKM) of Cotonou, children and adults after free and informed consent, in whom the diagnosis of AD was retained according to the criteria of the United Kingdom Working Party. Severity was assessed using SCORAD (severity scoring of atopic dermatitis). Results. The overall prevalence of AD was 7.7%. AD was more frequent in children (56.8% and 40.6%) and adults (59.8% and 37.4%) from urban and periurban areas (0.003 < p < 0.034 ). It was more frequent in children who regularly dewormed and those with complete vaccination (0.001 < p < 0.01 ). In 54.8% of children and 58.9% of adults, flare-ups occurred during the warm season. The main associated comorbidities were rhinitis and conjunctivitis in both children (49.7% and 36.1%, respectively) and adults (32.7% and 26.2%, respectively). The main triggering factors in children were heat (43.2%), pneumallergens (28.4%), and skin irritants (22.6%). In adults, we noted skin irritants (58.9%), heat (47.7%), and psychological factors (34.6%). In adults, the use of detergent soaps was associated with lichenified and severe AD (0.003 < p < 0.006 ) and that of lightening soaps with acute AD ( p = 0.042 ). Conclusion. AD in the Dermatology-Venereology Department of the CNHU-HKM of Cotonou was associated with comorbidities. It was influenced by environmental factors related to the tropical climate and by skin irritants or allergens.

Impact of climate change on atopic dermatitis: A review by the International Eczema Council

“…However, in two other studies in Korea and Italy, increased rainfall was only associated with an increase in AD symptoms and severity when daily rainfall was less than 40 mm 24,43 . No association between precipitation and AD was found in other studies 44‐46 . Additional research in diverse settings that accounts for the complex nature of precipitation while also addressing other associated factors, such as precipitation‐related outdoor temperature, outdoor humidity, pollen, and pollution exposure, is needed to fully elucidate the impact on AD.…”

“…24,43 No association between precipitation and AD was found in other studies. [44][45][46] Additional research in diverse settings that accounts for the complex nature of precipitation while also addressing other associated factors, such as precipitation-related outdoor temperature, outdoor humidity, pollen, and pollution exposure, is needed to fully elucidate the impact on AD.…”

Etiologies and Associated Factors of Generalised Pruritus <i>Sine Materia</i> in the Dermatology-Venerology Department of CHUD-Borgou/Alibori (Benin)

“…The prevalence of generalised pruritus sine materia varies widely in the literature. It was low (0.89%) in Parakou, Cotonou (Benin) and Iran [9] [10], whereas it was higher in Nigeria, Ghana and Togo [3] [11] [12]. This high prevalence in these countries may be linked to the study period, when certain endemic parasitoses, such as onchocerciasis and filariasis, were still prevalent in these regions.…”