Atopic Dermatitis
Conditions
Brief summary
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory skin condition, primarily affecting children in urban and high-income areas. Its prevalence has increased significantly over the past 30 years, with up to 20% of children affected, often within their first year of life. AD is characterized by erythematous, scaly, pruritic lesions, xerosis, and frequent atopy, with distinct clinical features in children compared to adults. The pathophysiology of AD involves skin barrier dysfunction, immune response alterations, and environmental triggers. Genetic factors, particularly mutations in the filaggrin gene, play a significant role in severe AD, leading to increased water loss and skin dehydration. Immunologically, a Th2-predominant response drives inflammation, and environmental exposures, such as air pollutants and irritants, exacerbate the condition. Recent studies suggest that dietary habits, particularly a high intake of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), may contribute to AD by activating inflammatory pathways. UPFs, rich in advanced glycation end products (AGEs), induce oxidative stress and inflammation, potentially worsening skin damage. This study aims to explore the potential role of UPF-derived compounds, especially AGEs, in the pathogenesis of pediatric AD.
Interventions
OTHEREvaluation of dietary consumption of UPFs
Evaluation of dietary consumption of ultraprocessed foods
Sponsors
Federico II University
Study design
Observational model
CASE_CONTROL
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
6 Months to 10 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Caucasian subjects, both sexes, age: ≥6 months and ≤10 years, with a confirmed diagnosis of atopic dermatitis, and healthy controls matched for age and sex without atopic dermatitis; * Written informed consent obtained from the participants and/or their parents/legal guardians.
Exclusion criteria
* Non-Caucasian ethnicity; age \< 6 or \> 10 years * Presence of other chronic conditions: hypereosinophilic syndrome, fungal or viral infections, connective tissue disorders, autoimmune diseases, vasculitis, bullous dermatoses (e.g., pemphigus), drug hypersensitivity reactions, graft-versus-host disease, monogenic disorders (e.g., Marfan syndrome type 2, Hyper-IgE syndrome) * Presence of scars, nevi, or unusual skin lesions on both forearms * Absence of written informed consent
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Comparative evaluation of dietary consumption of ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) | First year | Comparative evaluation of dietary consumption of UPFs in patients aged from 6 months to 10 years diagnosed with AD and in healthy controls matched for age and sex |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment of the effects of AGEs on the expression of tight junction proteins in human keratinocytes | Second year | Assessment of the effects of AGEs on the expression of tight junction proteins in human keratinocytes, both under basal conditions and after in vitro stimulation with AGEs |
| Effects of AGEs intake on SCORAD/EASI scores | First year | Correlation between AGEs intake and Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD Score 0 absent - 130 severe) and Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI Score 0 absent - 72 severe) |
| Evaluation of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) | First year | TEWL assessment |
| Comparative evaluation of dietary consumption of dietary advanced glycation end products (AGEs) | First year | Comparative evaluation of dietary consumption of dietary AGEs in patients aged from 6 months to 10 years diagnosed with AD and in healthy controls matched for age and sex |
| Assessment of skin AGEs accumulation level | First year | Evaluation of subcutaneous AGEs concentrations in patients aged from 6 months to 10 years diagnosed with AD and in healthy controls matched for age and sex |
Countries
Italy
Outcome results
None listed