Atopic Dermatitis: The Epidemiology, Causes and Prevention of Atopic Eczema

by Edited by Hywel C. Williams

• ISBN13: 9780521570756
• ISBN10: 0521570751
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2000-02-28
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

Atopic dermatitis or eczema is an increasingly common skin disease, but its distribution, frequency and underlying causes have not yet been systematically reviewed in depth: this is the very first book to look at the epidemiology of atopic dermatitis, its prevalence and possible causes. Uniquely, this volume draws on international experts from a wide range of disciplines, including dermatologists, epidemiologists, paediatricians and immunologists. As an allergic disease, atopic dermatitis has much in common with other allergies and this comprehensive account will shed new light on the mechanisms that underlie the allergic response. Whilst atopic eczema is primarily a disease of childhood and therefore a common problem in paediatric practice, its prevalence in adulthood continues to pose a challenge to dermatologists and primary care physicians. This wide-ranging new publication will be an invaluable resource for all involved in the treatment or the study of atopic dermatitis.

Table of Contents

List of contributors	ix
Foreword	xi
Georg Rajka
Preface	xiii
Part I The nature of the problem
What is atopic dermatitis and how should it be defined in epidemiological studies?	3	(22)
Hywel C. Williams
The pathophysiology and clinical features of atopic dermatitis	25	(16)
Clive B. Archer
The natural history of atopic dermatitis	41	(19)
Hywel C. Williams
Brunello Wuthrich
Occupational aspects of atopic dermatitis	60	(11)
Pieter-Jan Coenraads
Thomas L. Diepgen
Part II Descriptive studies which indicate the size of the problem
Geographical studies of atopic dermatitis	71	(14)
Nicholas McNally
David Phillips
The morbidity and cost of atopic dermatitis	85	(11)
Robert M. Herd
Is the prevalence of atopic dermatitis increasing?	96	(17)
Thomas L. Diepgen
Part III Analytical studies which point to causes of atopic dermatitis
Genetic epidemiology of atopic dermatitis	113	(12)
Finn Schultz Larsen
Fetal and perinatal origins of atopic dermatitis	125	(14)
Keith Godfrey
Social factors and atopic dermatitis	139	(9)
Nicholas McNally
David Phillips
The `old mother' hypothesis	148	(7)
Anne Braae Olesen
Kristian Thestrup-Pedersen
The possible role of environmental pollution in the development of atopic dermatitis	155	(14)
Torsten Schafer
Johannes Ring
Atopic dermatitis in migrant populations	169	(14)
Carol Burrell-Morris
Hywel C. Williams
The role of inhalant allergens in atopic dermatitis	183	(10)
Harriett Kolmer
Thomas A.E. Platts-Mills
Dietary factors in established atopic dermatitis	193	(12)
Tim J. David
Leena Patel
Carol I. Ewing
R.H.J. Stanton
Part IV Intervention studies
Prevention of atopic dermatitis	205	(16)
Adrian Mar
Robin Marks
Part V Lessons from other fields of research
Parallels with the epidemiology of other allergic diseases	221	(12)
David P. Strachan
Recent developments in atopic dermatitis of companion animals	233	(14)
Susan E. Shaw
Michael J. Day
Part VI Conclusions
The future research agenda	247	(15)
Hywel C. Williams
Additional information	262	(3)
Index	265