Correlation between socio‐economic status and atopic dermatitis in Korean adults: the Korea national health and nutrition examination survey (2007–2014)

Abstract Introduction Atopic dermatitis ( AD ) is one of the most common allergic diseases. Its prevalence has been increasing in recent decades. Socio‐economic status is well‐known risk factor of allergic diseases. Objective This study was performed to investigate the relationship between socio‐economic status and AD in Korean adults. Methods Data were acquired from 47 351 men and women, ≥19 years of age who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys ( KNHANES ) conducted from 2007 to 2014. The presence of AD was based on self‐reported physician diagnosis of AD in the Health Interview Surveys. Results The prevalence of AD was 3.1%, which decreased with increasing age. In univariate analysis, adults with AD were prone to be female, younger, never‐married, well educated, lower household members, and urban dwelling (all P < 0.01). Monthly family income and smoking status were not associated with the presence of AD . The prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and asthma was higher in AD subjects (all P < 0.01), while obesity was not associated with adult AD . After adjusting for confounders, logistic regression analysis showed female sex (adjusted odds ratio [ aOR ]: 1.483, 95% CI : 1.268–1.734), age ( P < 0.01), marital status (Single: aOR : 1.307, 95% CI : 1.012–1.690; Never‐married: aOR : 1.938, 95% CI : 1.513–2.482), urban residence ( aOR : 1.281, 95% CI : 1.045–1.569) and asthma ( aOR : 1.788, 95% CI : 1.416–2.258) were associated with higher prevalence of AD (all P < 0.01). Conclusion Female sex, age, marital status, urban residence, and the presence of asthma are important risk factors of the prevalence of AD in Korean adults.