Link Between Obesity and Atopic Dermatitis: Does Obesity Predispose to Atopic Dermatitis, or Vice Versa?

Overview

Journal Exp Dermatol

Specialty Dermatology

Date 2023 Apr 7

PMID 37029451

Authors

Shuyun Yang

Tingting Zhu

Joan S Wakefield

Theodora M Mauro

Peter M Elias

Mao-Qiang Man

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Two serious health conditions, obesity and atopic dermatitis (AD), share some pathological features such as insulin resistance, leptin resistance and inflammation, and a growing body of evidence suggests a link between obesity and AD. Obesity predisposes an individual to and/or worsens AD, whereas AD increases the risk of obesity. Obesity and AD's interactions are mediated by cytokines, chemokines and immune cells. Obese individuals with AD are more resistant to anti-inflammatory therapy, while weight loss can alleviate AD. In this review, we summarize the evidence linking AD and obesity. We also discuss the pathogenic role of obesity in AD, and vice versa. Because of the connection between these two conditions, mitigation of one could possibly prevent the development of or alleviate the other condition. Effective management of AD and weight loss can enhance the wellness of individuals with both of these conditions. However, proper clinical studies are warranted to validate this speculation.

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