Background: Considering the cross-regulation of Th1 and Th2 responses, we hypothesised that atopic diseases (Th2) inhibit the protective Th1 immune response to Mycobacterium leprae and exacerbates leprosy.
Objective: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the association between leprosy and atopic diseases.
Methods: To evaluate the association of atopic diseases with leprosy, we conducted a case-control study that included leprosy patients (n = 333) and their household contacts (n = 93). The questionnaire from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood, which is validated in several countries for epidemiological diagnosis of atopic diseases, was applied to determine the occurrence of atopic diseases, allergic rhinitis, asthma, and atopic dermatitis among leprosy patients and the household contacts.
Results: Considering clinical and epidemiological data, among the leprosy group 51.6% (n = 172) were determined to have at least one atopic disease, while atopy was observed less frequently at 40.86% among household contacts (n = 38). When two or more atopic diseases were assessed, the frequency was significantly higher among the leprosy patients than in the household contacts (21.9% vs. 11.8%; P-value = 0.03). Likewise, the frequency of asthma was significantly higher among leprosy patients (21%) than in the household contacts (10.8%; P-value = 0.02). Thus, our analyses revealed an association of atopic diseases with leprosy, with a significant linear increase in the occurrence of leprosy with an increase in the number of atopic diseases (P-value = 0.01).
Limitation: Due to the difficulties in recruiting household contacts that have prolonged contact with patients, but are not genetically related to the patient, the household contacts group is smaller than the leprosy patient group.
Conclusion: The data reveal an association between atopic diseases and leprosy outcomes. This knowledge could improve the treatment of leprosy patients with co-incident atopic diseases.
BT - Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology C1 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/37067141 DA - 02/2023 DO - 10.25259/IJDVL_347_2021 J2 - Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol LA - eng N2 -Background: Considering the cross-regulation of Th1 and Th2 responses, we hypothesised that atopic diseases (Th2) inhibit the protective Th1 immune response to Mycobacterium leprae and exacerbates leprosy.
Objective: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the association between leprosy and atopic diseases.
Methods: To evaluate the association of atopic diseases with leprosy, we conducted a case-control study that included leprosy patients (n = 333) and their household contacts (n = 93). The questionnaire from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood, which is validated in several countries for epidemiological diagnosis of atopic diseases, was applied to determine the occurrence of atopic diseases, allergic rhinitis, asthma, and atopic dermatitis among leprosy patients and the household contacts.
Results: Considering clinical and epidemiological data, among the leprosy group 51.6% (n = 172) were determined to have at least one atopic disease, while atopy was observed less frequently at 40.86% among household contacts (n = 38). When two or more atopic diseases were assessed, the frequency was significantly higher among the leprosy patients than in the household contacts (21.9% vs. 11.8%; P-value = 0.03). Likewise, the frequency of asthma was significantly higher among leprosy patients (21%) than in the household contacts (10.8%; P-value = 0.02). Thus, our analyses revealed an association of atopic diseases with leprosy, with a significant linear increase in the occurrence of leprosy with an increase in the number of atopic diseases (P-value = 0.01).
Limitation: Due to the difficulties in recruiting household contacts that have prolonged contact with patients, but are not genetically related to the patient, the household contacts group is smaller than the leprosy patient group.
Conclusion: The data reveal an association between atopic diseases and leprosy outcomes. This knowledge could improve the treatment of leprosy patients with co-incident atopic diseases.
PY - 2023 SP - 1 EP - 8 T2 - Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology TI - Association between asthma, rhinitis and atopic dermatitis with leprosy: A case-control study. UR - https://ijdvl.com/view-pdf/?&article=4df288bcc606adf133b1535b4c829546uLUtUX9ouGQSjQ== SN - 0973-3922 ER -