Incidence of Cardiovascular Disease After Atopic Dermatitis Development: A Nationwide, Population-Based Study

Interplay between diabetes mellitus and atopic dermatitis

Inflammatory dermatoses such as atopic dermatitis (AD) have long been linked to the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus. Indeed, numerous studies show an increased risk of diabetes mellitus in individuals with AD although lower prevalence of diabetes mellitus is also observed in few studies. Though the underlying mechanisms accounting for the reciprocal influence between these two conditions are still unclear, the complex interplay between diabetes mellitus and AD is attributable, in part, to genetic and environmental factors, cytokines, epidermal dysfunction, as well as drugs used for the treatment of AD. Proper management of one condition can mitigate the other condition. In this review, we summarize the evidence of the interaction between diabetes mellitus and AD, and discuss the possible underlying mechanisms by which these two conditions influence each other.

Comprehensive management of challenging recurrent aortoiliac and lower extremity occlusive disease with simultaneous modified-covered endovascular reconstruction of the aortic bifurcation, inferior mesenteric artery snorkel, and lower extremity bypass

OBJECTIVES

Despite recent advancements in endovascular technology and proven durability of open surgeries, managing extensive aortoiliac occlusive disease (AIOD) with concurrent severe lower extremity (LE) arterial occlusion remains a formidable challenge. This paper introduces a comprehensive approach to addressing recurrent AIOD and LE occlusive diseases by employing modified-CERAB, inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) snorkel, and LE bypass in a challenging case.

METHODS

A 56-year-old male patient presented with subacute bilateral lower extremity rest pain with dry gangrene in the left great toe and a complex medical history. His history included a hostile abdomen stemming from past ischemic bowel episodes and multiple bowel resections through laparotomies. Furthermore, the patient had a persistent left ventricular thrombus (LVT), stage-2 chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetes, and was currently experiencing bilateral LE rest pain and dry gangrene in the left great toe, accompanied by severe dermatitis in both LEs.

RESULTS

He successfully underwent modified-CERAB with a concurrent snorkel technique for IMA preservation, along with an LE bypass to resolve bilateral LE critical ischemia.

CONCLUSION

This comprehensive management approach, combining simultaneous modified-CERAB, IMA snorkel, and LE bypass, provides an effective alternative for addressing complex AIOD and LE occlusive disease patients with hostile abdomen.

Improvement in Cutaneous Conditions Can Benefit Some Health Conditions in the Elderly

As we are aging, a number of cutaneous and extracutaneous disorders will be developed. Although the pathogenesis of these aging-associated disorders is not clear yet, abnormalities in the skin are linked to some aging-associated disorders at least to some extent. Inflammatory dermatoses such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis predispose to the development of cardiovascular diseases, obesity and type 2 diabetes. In addition, both chronologically aged skin and individuals with some aging-associated systemic conditions display altered epidermal function, such as reduced stratum corneum hydration levels, which can provoke cutaneous inflammation. Because aged skin exhibits higher expression levels of inflammatory cytokines, which play a pathogenic role in a variety of aging-associated health condition, the association of the skin with some aging-associated disorders is likely mediated by inflammation. This postulation is supported by the evidence that improvement in either epidermal function or inflammatory dermatoses can mitigate some aging-associated disorders such as mild cognitive impairment and insulin sensitivity. This perspective discusses the association of the skin with aging-associated disorders and highlights the potential of improvement in cutaneous conditions in the management of some health conditions in the elderly.

Incidence of Cardiovascular Disease and Venous Thromboembolism in Patients With Atopic Dermatitis

BACKGROUND

Atopic dermatitis (AD) may increase risk for atherothrombotic and cardiovascular (CV) disease.

OBJECTIVE

Determine CV disease and venous thromboembolism risk among patients with AD.

METHODS

Cohort study using electronic health data from U.K. general practices in 1994 to 2015. Children (<18 y) and adults (≥18 y) with AD were matched to patients without AD on age, same practice, and encounter date. Treatments and specialist referrals served as proxies of AD severity. Outcomes were incident myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident (CVA), diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and pulmonary embolism. Cox regression analysis was used to compare outcomes in AD versus non-AD patients.

RESULTS

Comparing 409,341 children with AD (93.2% mild, 5.5% moderate, and 1.3% severe) to 1,809,029 unaffected children, AD was associated with higher risk of DVT (hazard ratio [HR] 1.23; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.02-1.48) and severe AD was associated with higher risk of CVA (HR 2.43; 95% CI 1.13-5.22) and diabetes (HR 1.46; 95% CI 1.06-2.01). Comparing 625,083 adults with AD (65.7% mild, 31.4% moderate, and 2.9% severe) to 2,678,888 unaffected adults, AD, especially when severe, was associated with higher risk of DVT (HR 1.14; 95% CI 1.11-1.18; and HR 1.64; 95% CI 1.49-1.82, respectively) and small but increased risks of CVA, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. Adults with severe AD had higher risk of myocardial infarction (HR 1.27; 95% CI 1.15-1.39), CVA (HR 1.21; 95% CI 1.13-1.30), diabetes (HR 1.15; 95% CI 1.09-1.22), dyslipidemia (HR 1.11; 95% CI 1.06-1.17), and pulmonary embolism (HR 1.39; 95% CI 1.21-1.60) compared with adults without AD.

CONCLUSIONS

Atopic dermatitis, particularly when severe, is associated with small but increased risks of CV risk factors and events and significantly increased risk of venous thromboembolism.