Association between atopic dermatitis and conjunctivitis in adults: a population-based study in the United States.

BACKGROUND

The association between atopic dermatitis (AD) and conjunctivitis in adults has not been well established.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study of the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) and National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) from 2002 to 2015 in order to evaluate the association between AD and conjunctivitis in U.S. adults. We performed multivariable logistic regression analyses adjusting for sociodemographic factors.

RESULTS

An estimated total [95% CI] of 8,581,098 [7,592,037-9,570,160] weighted AD visits and 12,853,199,920 [12,808,269,186-12,898,131,033] weighted non-AD visits were utilized for our analyses. When compared to adults without AD, adults with AD had a fourfold higher risk of conjunctivitis (OR = 4.38; 95% CI, 1.39-13.79; p = .012) and specifically, an eight-fold higher risk of allergic conjunctivitis (OR = 8.03; 95% CI, 1.76-36.58; p = .007). Among adults with AD, 67.6% of their visits for conjunctivitis were for allergic conjunctivitis. Among adults without AD, 35.4% of their visits for conjunctivitis were for allergic conjunctivitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Results of this study suggest that adults with AD have a significantly higher risk of conjunctivitis and specifically, allergic conjunctivitis when compared to those without AD. It is important for dermatology providers to be aware of this association and learn to recognize and potentially manage conjunctivitis in AD patients.