J Smirnova1,2, L B von Kobyletzki1,3, M Lindberg1,4, Å Svensson3, S M Langan5, S Montgomery1,6,7. 1. Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden. 2. Department of Dermatology, Karlstad Central Hospital, Karlstad, Sweden. 3. Department of Dermatology, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden. 4. Department of Dermatology, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden. 5. Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, U.K. 6. Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. 7. Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, U.K.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) might adversely affect academic performance, possibly through influences on psychological functioning such as stress resilience. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association of atopic dermatitis with stress resilience, cognitive function and educational attainment. METHODS: We used data from a national cohort of men who underwent a military conscription examination at ages 17-20 years in Sweden between 1969 and 1976. All potential conscripts met a physician who assessed current or previous history of AD. Stress resilience was measured by a psychologist using a semistructured interview. The conscription assessment included a written cognitive function test. The highest level of education achieved was identified through record linkage. RESULTS: The study population included 234 715 men, 1673 (0·7%) of whom had a diagnosis of AD. AD was associated with a greater risk of low stress resilience [adjusted relative risk ratio (RRR) 1·60, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·38-1·86]. AD was associated with higher cognitive function (β-coefficient 0·15, 95% CI 0·05-0·24) and higher educational level (RRR 1·29, 95% CI 1·13-1·47). However, adjustment for socioeconomic characteristics of the family of origin attenuated the magnitude of the associations and eliminated the statistical significance (β-coefficient 0·06, 95% CI -0·03 to 0·15; RRR 1·16, 95% CI 1·00-1·35). CONCLUSIONS: Swedish men with AD had lower stress resilience in late adolescence but did not have lower cognitive function or poorer educational attainment. The lower stress resilience associated with AD is consistent with an increased risk of possible long-term adverse health outcomes.
BACKGROUND:Atopic dermatitis (AD) might adversely affect academic performance, possibly through influences on psychological functioning such as stress resilience. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association of atopic dermatitis with stress resilience, cognitive function and educational attainment. METHODS: We used data from a national cohort of men who underwent a military conscription examination at ages 17-20 years in Sweden between 1969 and 1976. All potential conscripts met a physician who assessed current or previous history of AD. Stress resilience was measured by a psychologist using a semistructured interview. The conscription assessment included a written cognitive function test. The highest level of education achieved was identified through record linkage. RESULTS: The study population included 234 715 men, 1673 (0·7%) of whom had a diagnosis of AD. AD was associated with a greater risk of low stress resilience [adjusted relative risk ratio (RRR) 1·60, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·38-1·86]. AD was associated with higher cognitive function (β-coefficient 0·15, 95% CI 0·05-0·24) and higher educational level (RRR 1·29, 95% CI 1·13-1·47). However, adjustment for socioeconomic characteristics of the family of origin attenuated the magnitude of the associations and eliminated the statistical significance (β-coefficient 0·06, 95% CI -0·03 to 0·15; RRR 1·16, 95% CI 1·00-1·35). CONCLUSIONS: Swedish men with AD had lower stress resilience in late adolescence but did not have lower cognitive function or poorer educational attainment. The lower stress resilience associated with AD is consistent with an increased risk of possible long-term adverse health outcomes.
Authors: L B von Kobyletzki; L Beckman; J Smirnova; L Smeeth; H C Williams; M McKee; K Abuabara; S M Langan Journal: Br J Dermatol Date: 2017-07-26 Impact factor: 9.302
Authors: Roderick J Hay; Nicole E Johns; Hywel C Williams; Ian W Bolliger; Robert P Dellavalle; David J Margolis; Robin Marks; Luigi Naldi; Martin A Weinstock; Sarah K Wulf; Catherine Michaud; Christopher J L Murray; Mohsen Naghavi Journal: J Invest Dermatol Date: 2013-10-28 Impact factor: 8.551