[Clinical characteristics of a population with atopic dermatitis in a tertiary center].

BACKGROUND Information about the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of atopic dermatitis (AD) is essential to generate knowledge of the disease and its socioeconomic impact. OBJECTIVE To describe the clinical characteristics of the patients of an atopic dermatitis clinic. METHODS An observational, retrospective, and cross-sectional study. Demographic data, severity of the AD (according to the Eczema Area Severity Index), clinical phenotype, total serum IgE, the presence of allergic and non-allergic comorbidities, as well as of anxiety and depression, were recorded by means of targeted questionnaire and Hamilton Scale. Descriptive and inferential statistics were obtained, considering a statistical significance associated with a value of p <0.05. RESULTS 187 patients were included; the median age was 12 years with a range of 1-87 years. Differences were found regarding sex and severity (p < 0.05). Mild forms of AD were presented in 57.8% of the patients, moderate forms in 20.9%, and severe forms in 21.4%. The severity was associated with allergic comorbidities such as asthma (p = 0.001) and allergic conjunctivitis (p <0.001). Severe AD was associated with a state of anxiety and depression (p <0.05), as well as with ocular affectation (p<0.001). CONCLUSION The pediatric population is the most affected by AD; however, in the adult population, the severe form associated with allergic comorbidities is observed.