Risk Factors and Prognostic Implications of Three Identified AD Trajectories to Age 8 Years

Three atopic dermatitis (AD) trajectories for patients up to age 8 years in the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) cohort were identified and include early-onset transient, late-onset persistent, and early-onset persistent.

Researchers aimed to identify AD trajectories across the first 8 years of life as well as investigate risk factors associated with each trajectory and relationships with other comorbidities. They collected data from 1152 mother-offspring dyads from ages 3 months to 8 years and used an unsupervised machine learning technique to determine the trajectories.

The three AD trajectories identified were early-onset transient (6.3%), late-onset persistent (6.3%), and early-onset persistent (2.1%), alongside a no AD/reference group (85.2%). An early-onset transient was associated with male gender, family history of atopy, house dust mite sensitization, and some measures of wheezing. Late-onset persistent AD was associated with a family history of atopy, measures of house dust mite sensitization, and allergic rhinitis and wheezing. Early-onset persistent was associated with antenatal/intrapartum antibiotic use, food sensitization, and some measures of wheezing.

“Three AD trajectories were identified in this birth cohort, with different risk factors and prognostic implications,” concluded the study authors. “Further work is needed to understand the molecular and immunological origins of these phenotypes,” they added.

Reference
Suaini NHA, Yap GC, Tung BDP, et al. Atopic dermatitis trajectories to age 8 years in the GUSTO cohort. Clin Exp Allergy. Published online July 26, 2021. doi:10.1111/cea.13993