Association of atopic dermatitis with an increased risk of systemic lupus erythematosus: A systematic review and meta-analysis

• Published in: Journal of postgraduate medicine (Bombay) Vol. 67; no. 3; pp. 139 - 145
• Main Authors: Ponvilawan, B, Charoenngam, N, Wongtrakul, W, Ungprasert, P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Mumbai Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd 01-07-2021; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd; Wolters Kluwer - Medknow
• Subjects: Dermatitis; Eczema; Lupus; Meta-analysis; Original; Systematic review; eczema; meta-analysis; systemic lupus erythematosus; Atopic dermatitis
• ISSN: 0022-3859; 0972-2823
• DOI: 10.4103/jpgm.JPGM_1270_20

Context: Previous studies on the association between atopic dermatitis (AD) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have yielded inconsistent results.
Aims: To investigate the relationship between atopic dermatitis and systemic lupus erythematosus.
Settings and Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.
Materials and Methods: A systematic review was conducted on EMBASE and MEDLINE databases from inception to March 2020 using a search strategy that consisted of terms related to AD and SLE. Eligible study must be either cohort or case-control study. For cohort studies, they must include patients with AD and comparators without AD, then follow them for incident SLE. For case-control studies, they must include cases with SLE and controls without SLE and examine their prior history of AD.
Statistical Analysis Used: Meta-analysis of the studies was performed using a random-effect, generic inverse variance method to combine effect estimate and standard error. Funnel plot was used to assess publication bias.
Results: A total of 21,486 articles were retrieved. After two rounds of review by three investigators, six case-control studies were qualified for the meta-analysis. The case-control study meta-analysis found a significantly increased odds of SLE among patients with AD with the pooled odds ratio of 1.46 (95% CI, 1.05-2.04).
Conclusions: A significant association between AD and increased odds of SLE was observed by this systematic review and meta-analysis.