Table 5. Comparison of patient characteristics according to severity.
| Variables | Missing values | Mild AD (n = 51) | Moderate AD (n = 103) | Severe AD (n = 104) | P value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age of ≥ 12 yr | 1 | 15 (29.4) | 33 (32.0) | 49 (47.1) | 0.019* | |
| Onset age group | ||||||
| < 2 yra | 1 | 21 (41.2) | 53 (51.5) | 61 (58.7) | 0.054 | |
| < 6 monb | 1 | 8 (15.7) | 29 (28.2) | 36 (34.6) | 0.018* | |
| Food allergy symptoms | 18 | 13 (25.5) | 46 (44.7) | 57 (54.8) | 0.005** | |
| Food allergy diagnosis | 20 | 11 (21.6) | 38 (36.9) | 46 (44.2) | 0.003** | |
| Family history of AD | ||||||
| Paternal | 13 | 2 (3.9) | 12 (11.7) | 20 (19.2) | 0.004** | |
| Family | 13 | 12 (23.5) | 38 (36.9) | 40 (38.5) | 0.048* | |
| Aggravation due to stress | 7 | 6 (11.8) | 40 (38.8) | 44 (42.3) | < 0.001*** | |
| Eosinophilia | 96 | 11 (21.6) | 41 (39.8) | 46 (44.2) | 0.048* | |
| Allergen sensitization | ||||||
| Der p | 60 | 31 (60.8) | 64 (62.1) | 67 (65.0) | 0.017* | |
| Der f | 44 | 34 (66.7) | 71 (68.9) | 72 (69.2) | 0.115 | |
| Dog epithelium | 74 | 9 (17.6) | 25 (24.3) | 45 (43.3) | < 0.001*** | |
| Cat epithelium | 101 | 9 (17.6) | 18 (17.5) | 29 (27.9) | 0.038* | |
| Japanese hop | 176 | 2 (3.9) | 10 (9.7) | 19 (18.3) | 0.030* | |
| Weed mix | 195 | 2 (3.9) | 4 (3.9) | 12 (11.5) | 0.022* | |
| Inhalant allergen | 32 | 36 (70.6) | 82 (79.6) | 85 (81.7) | 0.024* | |
| Food allergen | 111 | 16 (31.4) | 35 (34.0) | 36 (34.6) | 0.041* | |
| Treatment history | ||||||
| Systemic steroids | 12 | 3 (5.9) | 14 (13.6) | 23 (22.1) | 0.013* | |
| Systemic immunosuppressants | 12 | 0 (0.0) | 5 (4.9) | 10 (9.6) | 0.020* | |
| Systemic antibiotics | 12 | 1 (2.0) | 16 (15.5) | 31 (29.8) | < 0.001*** | |
Values are presented as number (%), except for CDLQI (mean ± SD). Some frequencies do not add up to the total number of cases because of missing values.
Mild AD: SCORAD < 25; Moderate AD: SCORAD 25–50; Severe AD: SCORAD > 50.
AD = atopic dermatitis, SCORAD = SCORing Atopic Dermatitis, Der p = Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Der f = Dermatophagoides farinae, CDLQI = Children’s Dermatology Life Quality Index.
aOnset age group divided into < 2 years, 2–5 years, and ≥ 6 years; bonset age group divided into < 6 months, 6 months–1 years, 2–5 years, and ≥ 6 years.
Statistically significant difference (*P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001).