Atopic dermatitis, stinging, and effects of chronic stress: A pathocausal study - 24/08/11
Stockholm, Uppsala, and Gothenburg, Sweden
Abstract |
Background |
Patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) often have increased skin sensitivity and this symptom often worsens during stress.
Objective |
We sought to find out whether patients with AD had stinging, and to identify the pathocausal neuroimmune mechanisms, including the role of stress.
Methods |
In all, 25 patients with AD with histories of stress worsening were tested using a stinger test. Skin biopsy specimens were processed for immunohistochemistry. Stress inquiries and salivary cortisol tests were performed.
Results |
In all, 16 patients were stinger-positive and 9 were negative. The stinger-positive papillary dermis had an increased number of mast cells, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide–positive fibers, and a tendency to a higher number of substance P–positive nerve fibers, but a decrease of calcitonin gene-related peptide fibers. Patients who were stinger-positive had a tendency to lower salivary cortisol.
Conclusions |
The majority of patients with AD experience stinging. Substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, and mast cells may have a pathocausal role, as might chronic stress.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Abbreviations used : AD, CGRP, GAP, PGP, VIP
Plan
Supported by scientific research grants from the Ekhaga Foundation, the Finsen/Welander Foundation, and Karolinska Institutet. Conflicts of interest: None identified. |
Vol 51 - N° 6
P. 899-905 - décembre 2004 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
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