Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Nesterski, S.
Atopische Dermatitis und Asthma bronchiale im Kindesalter
[ Diplomarbeit ] Medical University of Graz; 2013. pp. 73
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- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Betreuer*innen:
- Gallistl Siegfried
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- Abstract:
- Background: Atopic dermatitis and bronchial asthma are common chronic diseases in childhood. Both are affecting an increasing number of patients. The prevalence of asthma in children ranges between 5 and 10 %, the prevalence of atopic dermatitis varies between 15 and 30 %. In both conditions atopy is a critical factor in the pathogenesis. Atopy is a genetic predisposition, which includes the ability to produce IgE antibodies in response to common environmental allergens as house dust mite, grass pollen, and food allergens. Patients with one atopic disease are far more likely to develop another. Up to today it is unclear, whether there is a causal effect between atopic dermatitis and bronchial asthma or not. Methods: The aim of this paper is to review literature concerning the hypothesis, whether there is a causal effect between atopic dermatitis and bronchial asthma or not. The general part of this thesis shows an overview of epidemiology, etiology and pathogenesis of both diseases. Results: There is an association between a specific defect in the skin barrier function, the manifestation of atopic dermatitis and a subsequently development of bronchial asthma. Two factors are critical. The first one is a mutation in the filaggrin gene, which causes a dysfunction of the skin barrier. The other one is the cytokine thymic stromal lymphopoeitin, which is increased at a disruption of the skin barrier function. This cytokine was identified as a signal for the initialization of a systemic allergic immune response, after a contact with allergens at a disturbed epidermal surface. Several studies, carried out the past few years, have shown, that the hypothesis of the atopic march is not completely to disqualify. Conclusion: The association between atopic dermatitis and allergic asthma cannot be referred as causal, solely on the basis of this review. However, the worked up theories in this review, concerning filaggrin mutations and thymic stromal lymphopoeitin, provide a good foundation for future research related to the treatment of atopic diseases.