title: Xerosis is associated with asthma in men independent of atopic dermatitis and filaggrin gene mutations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Epidermal filaggrin deficiency due to common filaggrin gene (FLG) mutations causes xerosis and strongly increases the risk of atopic dermatitis and even asthma. However, it is unknown whether xerosis independent of FLG mutations could also increase the risk of asthma.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate whether generalized xerosis was associated with asthma, independent of atopic dermatitis and common FLG mutations in a cross-sectional study on adult Danes.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 3396 adults from the general population participated in a health examination. Lung function and serum-specific IgE levels to inhalant allergens were measured and information on xerosis and atopic diseases was obtained by means of a questionnaire. Participants were genotypes for the three most common FLG mutations in Northern Europeans: R501X, 2282del4 and R2447X.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fully adjusted logistic regression analyses showed that asthma (either current or at some point in life) was significantly associated with reporting generalized xerosis (OR 1.32; 95% CI 1.02-1.72). The association was stronger in men (OR 1.79; 95% CI 1.13-2.84) when compared to women (OR 1.18; 95% CI 0.86-1.62). Furthermore, a significant association was observed between xerosis and 'allergic asthma' in men (OR 2.13; 95% CI 1.08-4.19).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings indicate an association between xerosis and asthma in men independent of atopic dermatitis and FLG mutations. Both facilitated allergen sensitization and secondary degradation of filaggrin following T-helper cell 2 inflammation might be key elements to understanding this relationship.
authors.affiliation: National Allergy Research Centre, Department of Dermato-Allergology, Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hellerup, Denmark.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Engebretsen
authors.affiliation: Research Centre for Prevention and Health, the Capital Region of Denmark, Glostrup, Denmark.|Department of Clinical Experimental Research, Glostrup Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Glostrup, Denmark.|Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Linneberg
authors.affiliation: Research Centre for Prevention and Health, the Capital Region of Denmark, Glostrup, Denmark.
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Thuesen
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hellerup, Denmark.
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Szecsi
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hellerup, Denmark.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stender
authors.affiliation: National Allergy Research Centre, Department of Dermato-Allergology, Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hellerup, Denmark.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Menné
authors.affiliation: National Allergy Research Centre, Department of Dermato-Allergology, Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hellerup, Denmark.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Johansen
authors.affiliation: National Allergy Research Centre, Department of Dermato-Allergology, Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hellerup, Denmark.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Thyssen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics*; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D000091344:Filaggrin Proteins; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011498:Protein Precursors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C000717249:FLG protein, human; D000091344:Filaggrin Proteins; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins; D011498:Protein Precursors; D004247:DNA