TABLE 1.
Background characteristics of the study population and young adults with atopic dermatitis (AD).
| Characteristics | Study population (N = 2912) | Young adults with AD (n = 516) | p‐Values* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gender | |||
| Male | 1366 (46.9) | 200 (38.8) | <0.001 |
| Female | 1546 (53.1) | 316 (61.2) | |
| Parental socio‐economic status a | |||
| Blue‐collar worker | 435 (15.2) | 78 (15.4) | 0.889 |
| White‐collar worker | 2430 (84.8) | 429 (84.6) | |
| Occupational status b | |||
| Studying | 1493 (51.4) | 265 (51.6) | 0.021 |
| Working | 1187 (40.9) | 224 (43.6) | |
| Other | 224 (7.7) | 25 (4.9) | |
| Atopic heredity c | |||
| No | 1612 (55.8) | 246 (48.0) | <0.001 |
| Yes | 1276 (44.2) | 267 (52.0) | |
| Asthma d | |||
| No | 2598 (89.2) | 390 (75.6) | <0.001 |
| Yes | 314 (10.8) | 126 (24.4) | |
| Allergic rhinitis e | |||
| No | 1999 (69.3) | 193 (37.7) | <0.001 |
| Yes | 887 (30.7) | 319 (62.3) | |
| Food allergy f | |||
| No | 1936 (66.5) | 258 (50.0) | <0.001 |
| Yes | 823 (28.3) | 231 (44.8) | |
| IgE antibodies g | |||
| No | 1194 (55.4) | 128 (32.0) | <0.001 |
| Yes | 962 (44.6) | 272 (68.0) | |
Higher parental socio‐economic status was defined as at least one parent who is a white‐collar worker (Socio‐economic Division (SEI); Reports on Statistical Coordination 1982:4) at baseline questionnaire.
Occupational status was divided into three groups. Working defined as current employment when questionnaire was answered. Studying defined as current pursuit of degree in higher studies (community college, college, university). Other defined as other occupation such as parental leave, unemployment or sick leave.
Atopic heredity was defined as a mother and/or father with doctor's diagnosis of asthma and asthma drug, and/or diagnosis or hay fever because of furred pets and/or pollen allergy and/or doctor's diagnosis of eczema (contact allergy among parents is excluded) at baseline questionnaire.
Asthma was determined from the 24‐year follow‐up questionnaire and includes questions such as symptoms of asthma in the last 12 months, use of asthma medicines in the last 12 months and a doctor's diagnosis of asthma ever.
Allergic rhinitis was defined from the 24‐year follow‐up as symptoms from nose or eyes because of furred animal or pollen.
Food allergy was defined from the 24‐year follow‐up as answering yes to the question ‘do you avoid food due to previous reactions or allergy tests?’
Presence of IgE antibodies was determined through positive Phadiatop and/or food mix (fx1, fx5 or fx22) test from a blood sample taken at the 24‐year follow‐up clinical examination.
Comparison between the study population and the young adults with atopic dermatitis.