In a study published in Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, researchers from Yale School of Medicine identified a significant association between atopic dermatitis (AD) and peripheral vascular disease (PVD). The cross-sectional study, utilizing data from the U.S. National Institutes of Health's All of Us Research Program, analyzed data on more than 260,000 diverse American adults.
The findings reveal that 11% of patients with AD also had PVD, compared to only 6.2% of those without AD. After adjusting for demographic factors and potential confounders, individuals with AD still showed a 23% higher likelihood of developing PVD.
Dr. Jeffrey Cohen, Assistant Professor of Dermatology and Biomedical Informatics and Data Science at Yale School of Medicine and senior author of the study, emphasized the significance of these results in a press release: “This study deepens our understanding of the relationship between atopic dermatitis and cardiovascular diseases.” Dr. Cohen noted that while the precise mechanisms linking AD and PVD are not fully understood, factors such as systemic inflammation, reduced physical activity, and sleep disturbances common in AD patients likely contribute to this association.
In the study, the researchers identified 12,603 cases of AD among the participants, with a mean age of 58 years and a predominantly female population (65.9%). The control group included 254,009 patients without AD, with a mean age of 54.7 years and 60.5% female representation.
This research builds upon previous studies that have suggested links between AD and various cardiovascular comorbidities. A 2021 study using National Health Insurance Data in Korea found that AD patients had significantly higher risks of hyperlipidemia, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, stroke, myocardial infarction, angina, and peripheral vascular disease.
The Yale team’s findings underscore the need for improved cardiovascular screening and preventive care in patients with AD. “Our evolving understanding of cardiovascular disease in patients with atopic dermatitis underscores the importance of preventive care, such as routine cardiovascular screening, and appropriate treatment of cardiovascular risk factors in this population,” Dr. Cohen stressed.
He encouraged medical professionals to consider the potential cardiovascular risks associated with AD when managing patient care. The study's results may pave the way for more comprehensive treatment approaches and early intervention strategies for individuals with atopic dermatitis.
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