Association between obstructive sleep apnea and atopic dermatitis in children: A nationwide, population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with systemic inflammation and may have a similar pathogenesis as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, to date, studies on the association between AD and OSA are limited.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the association between OSA and AD in children in a large-scale, population-based cohort.

METHODS: A total of approximately 120 736 children (<18 years) with newly diagnosed AD and 120 736 age- and sex-matched patients without AD from 2000 to 2007 were identified from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database from 2000 to 2007. The Kaplan-Meier test was used for measuring the cumulative incidence of OSA in each cohort. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used for evaluating the risk of OSA in patients with or without AD between the two cohorts.

RESULTS: The Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the cumulative incidence curves of OSA were significantly higher in patients with AD than in those without AD (log-rank test, P < .001). After adjusting for age, sex, urbanization level, and comorbidities, patients with AD had a higher risk of OSA than those without AD (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.86, 95% confidence interval = 1.43-2.42). Compared with patients without AD, patients with AD exhibited a higher risk of developing OSA, irrespective of underlying comorbidities.

CONCLUSION: This nationwide, population-based cohort study revealed an increased risk of OSA in children with AD. Therefore, comprehensive evaluation and aggressive risk reduction for OSA are recommended in these patients.