Levels of eosinophils and interleukin-5 and severity of atopic dermatitis in the presence of psychosocial stress

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Skin damage in atopic dermatitis is caused by the participation of a number of immune cells and the inflammatory mediators they secrete. However, data on correlations between the severity of atopic dermatitis, combined with and without food allergies (SCORAD index, etc.) with the level of eosinophils and interleukin-5, are scarce and contradictory. There are no results on the comparative frequency of eczematous reactions occurring at different time, or immediate allergic reactions in the above groups of patients. There are no or contradictory studies of the frequency of the combination of atopic dermatitis and food allergies, its various degrees of severity depending on these indicators, levels and relationships of the concentration of eosinophils, interleukin-5, including under conditions of psychosocial stress.
 AIMS: To study in the Donbass region, under conditions of psychosocial stress, the frequency and severity of the course, skin reactions in patients with atopic dermatitis, combined with and without food allergies, as well as the levels and correlations of interleukin-5 and eosinophils, depending on the above condition.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS: 165 patients with atopic dermatitis were examined. Questionnaires, anamnesis collection, general clinical and specific allergological examinations were carried out, the levels of interleukin-5, the absolute quantity and percentage of eosinophils in the peripheral blood were determined. There were 2 subgroups of patients with atopic dermatitis: 1) combined with food allergies; 2) had no combination with it. Persons living in areas with high and low intensity of shelling are also identified. Statistical data processing was carried out using the domestic program Medstat (Donetsk).
 RESULTS: It was found that in patients with atopic dermatitis, randomly selected from those who applied for an appointment with allergists-immunologists, in 81.2% of cases this disease is combined with food allergy. The severity of atopic dermatitis and eosinophil levels are significantly higher when it is combined with food allergies. Stable direct reliable correlations of varying strength have been established between the severity of atopic dermatitis (SCORAD index and its individual indicators) and the absolute quantity, percentage of eosinophils, interleukin-5 level, as well as between the above laboratory parameters. Differences were found in the frequency of recording eczematous, immediate skin reactions. It has been shown that the residence of patients with atopic dermatitis, both combined and without food allergies, in areas that differ in the intensity of shelling, is associated with the severity of atopic dermatitis, the level of eosinophils and interleukin-5.
 CONCLUSIONS: In most patients, atopic dermatitis is combined with food allergies, and the severity of its combination with food allergies increases, reliable correlations of the SCORAD index with blood eosinophilia and interleukin-5 levels are revealed. The severity of atopic dermatitis and biomarkers in both subgroups of patients increase when they live in areas with a high intensity of shelling.