DefinePK

Abstract

Background: Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin condition characterised by intense itching. The condition is often linked to other atopic disorders in the individual or among family members and is linked with elevated serum IgE levels. This study aims to investigate the correlation between the severity of atopic dermatitis (AD) and serum IgE levels specifically within the Pakistani population. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving the enrolment of 53 patients in the Department of Dermatology and department of chemical pathology Army Medical College lab in Pakistan Emirates Military Hospital from May 2024 to October 2024. Patients were categorised into three groups: mild (3–4), moderate (4.5–7.5), or severe (8–9), with ages ranging from 1 to 40 years. A one-way ANOVA was employed to assess the mean difference in serum IgE levels relative to the severity of atopic dermatitis, with a significance level of p ≤ 0.05 deemed statistically significant. Results: The study involved 53 participants, with a mean age of 11.2 years (SD ± 6.6). The cohort comprised 21 males (39.6%) and 32 females (60.4%). The mean serum IgE level was 230.4 IU/mL (SD ± 120.3). Participants were classified into three groups based on symptom severity: 18 (33.9%) with mild symptoms (scores 3–4), 21 (39.6%) with moderate symptoms (scores 4.5–7.5), and 14 (26.5%) with severe symptoms (scores 8–9). The mean serum IgE levels were 153.9 IU/mL (SD ± 49.7) in the mild group, 217.1 IU/mL (SD ± 113.5) in the moderate group, and 319.5 IU/mL (SD ± 197.8) in the severe group, with a statistically significant p-value of 0.001. Conclusion: Serum IgE is a valuable indicator for predicting the severity of atopic dermatitis in younger patients.