Mobility Issues are More Likely to Occur in Atopic Dermatitis Patients

Those with Atopic Dermatitis (AD), especially men 40 to 59 years, are more likely to experience mobility issues compared to those without, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology.

AD is a long-term skin condition that causes itching, rashes and discomfort. The condition can also impact both mental and physical health, creating burden to folk’s lifestyles.

In addition, those with AD can struggle with poor sleep due to itching, leading to tiredness and trouble focusing during the day. It can also increase stress and anxiety, which can cause symptoms to worsen.

In previous studies, it was discovered that AD can limit activities such as exercise and basic movement. However, there is currently limited information and studies examining standard mobility in those with AD.

Researchers of the study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2001 to 2006 to study how AD affects mobility in U.S. adults aged 20 to 59.

Patients were classified as having "impaired mobility" if they reported difficulty walking without special equipment, and data was analyzed using logistic regression in STATA/SE 18.0.

Out of 6,540 patients, 7.1% of those with AD had mobility impairment compared to 3.9% of those without AD.

When looking at specific groups, the study found that men with AD were more likely to have trouble mobility impairment (AOR: 2.55; 95% CI: 1.21-5.40; P=0.016).

Additionally, adults 40 to 59 years with AD also showed higher rates of mobility issues (AOR: 1.94; 95% CI: 1.03-3.68; P=0.042).

Beyond the data, the study had some limitations. These included the survey questions not being very specific, the possibility of bias since participants reported their own information, and the fact that the study only included participants up to 59 years old.

Researchers suggest more investigating is needed with large, diverse groups of U.S. adults to better understand whether impaired mobility causes AD.