Effect of climatic change in children with atopic eczema.
BACKGROUND
Climate and sunlight (ultraviolet radiation) influence activity of atopic eczema.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of moving from a subarctic/temperate climate to a sunny subtropical climate on children's atopic eczema.


METHODS
Children, 4-13 years, with severe atopic eczema were randomized to stay 4 weeks in Gran Canary (index patients = 30) and home in Norway (controls = 26), with a follow up of 3 months. SCORing of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) was primary variable, and secondary were Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI), Staphylococcus aureus skin colonization and pharmacological skin treatment.


RESULTS
SCORing of Atopic Dermatitis decreased from 37.2 (29.4-44.9) to 12.2 (9.0-15.4) [mean (95% confidence intervals)] after 4 weeks and 21.2 (17.2-25.1) 3 months thereafter in index patients (P < 0.0005), much less in controls.Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index in the index group improved from 8.7 to 2.2 and 4.5 after 4 weeks and 3 months (P < 0.0005), not in controls. Bacterial skin colonization with S. aureus decreased in the index group from 23/30 (77%) to 12/30 (40%; P = 0.001) and 12/30 (40%; P = 0.005) after 1 month and 3 months, and the use of local steroids decreased in index patients but not in controls.


CONCLUSIONS
The change from a subartic/temperate to a subtropical climate for 4 weeks improved significantly skin symptoms (SCORAD) and quality of life, even for 3 months after return.
Byremo
G
G
Voksentoppen, Department of Paediatrics, Rikshospitalet-Radiumhospitalet, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
Rød
G
G
Carlsen
K H
KH
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002980:Climate; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D012720:Severity of Illness Index