title: The role of filaggrin mutations during pregnancy and postpartum: atopic dermatitis and genital skin diseases.
abstract: Mutations in the epidermal filaggrin gene (FLG) are associated with skin barrier dysfunction (dry skin, less acidic skin, and fissured skin), and atopic dermatitis (AD) with a severe and persistent course. Because pregnancy and delivery further impairs normal skin barrier functions (immune suppression, mechanical stress), we studied the possible role of FLG mutations on the risk of AD flares, genital infections, and postpartum problems related to perineal trauma. FLG-genotyping was performed in a population-based sample of 1837 women interviewed in the 12th and 30th weeks of pregnancy and 6 months postpartum as part of the Danish National Birth Cohort study 1996-2002. We found that FLG mutations also influence pregnancy-related skin disease; thus, women with FLG mutations had an increased risk of AD flares during pregnancy (OR 10.5, 95% CI 3.6-30.5) and of enduring postpartum physical problems linked to perineal trauma during delivery (OR 11.1, 95% CI 1.1-107.7).
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology Research, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bager
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology Research, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wohlfahrt
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology Research, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Boyd
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermato-Allergology, National Allergy Research Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital Gentofte, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Thyssen
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology Research, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Melbye
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D000091344:Filaggrin Proteins; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D009154:Mutation; D016017:Odds Ratio; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C000717249:FLG protein, human; D000091344:Filaggrin Proteins; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins
keywords: atopic dermatitis; dermatology; epidemiology; genetics; pregnancy