Abstract
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a highly prevalent and multifactorial condition influenced by environmental factors such as the concentration of airborne allergens and meteorological variables. However, there is a lack of consensus on the role of these factors in triggering AD, particularly in tropical areas, where high values of these variables are common and studies are scarce. Therefore, this ecological study aimed to assess the association between concentrations of outdoor fungal spores and tree pollen, temperature, and water vapor pressure with AD-related medical services utilization in children 12 years or younger residing in a tropical urban area (San Juan, Puerto Rico), from 2017 to 2020. The study analyzed medical records of two dermatology clinics and local data on outdoor aeroallergens and meteorological variables to determine the number of AD-related medical claims during the study period, based on their medical diagnostic code. The multivariate regression analysis showed that high tree pollen concentrations (IRR = 1.2670, p = 0.032) and low average temperatures (IRR = 1.3114, p = 0.009) increased the probability of AD-related medical claims. In contrast, this probability was reduced with high average temperatures (IRR = 0.6782, p = 0.001) and low water vapor pressure values (IRR = 0.7802, p = 0.022). No associations were found with outdoor fungal spores. In conclusion, this study found that high tree pollen concentrations and low temperatures increased the utilization of AD-related medical services. Educating individuals about reducing exposure to unfavorable environmental conditions could be a useful intervention in preventing the exacerbation of AD.
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Acknowledgements
We thank María López, MD, Director of External Clinics of the Medical Sciences Campus of the University of Puerto Rico, for contributing part of the data and to Maite Ramirez, Ph.D., Denise De Vore, Ph.D., and Osmarie Martinez, Ph.D., for their help in editing the manuscript.
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EMV conceived the original research idea. EMV, IMR, CAA, PML, and BBR contributed to the study design and implementation. EMV and CAA conducted the statistical analysis. BBR, Director of the San Juan AAAAI-NAB, determined aeroallergen concentrations and provided the data. LTB, Director of Derma Salud Clinic, provided access to medical records in that clinic. EMV wrote the first draft of the manuscript. All authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.
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Miranda-Valentin, E., Mansilla-Rivera, I., Amaya-Ardila, C.P. et al. High tree pollen levels and low temperatures increased the utilization of atopic dermatitis-related medical services in children residing in a tropical urban area (San Juan, Puerto Rico). Aerobiologia (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10453-024-09827-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10453-024-09827-9