Atopic Dermatitis and Internal Vessel Inflammation

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory skin disease that has gained recent acceptance as a systemic disease. Recent studies suggest there may be a link between AD and an increased risk for vascular inflammation, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. There appears to be a positive correlation between disease severity and risk, as studies highlight moderate-to-severe AD more than mild AD as a driver of systemic inflammation. Although AD is traditionally thought to be a Th2-mediated disease, literature suggests there are contributions from the Th1 pathway among others, especially in chronic AD. These findings may support the connection between AD and atherosclerosis, which is driven in part by the Th1 pathway. Although AD is proven to be a standalone risk factor for cardiovascular disease and inflammation, a healthy lifestyle should be promoted in patients with AD to decrease cumulative risk.