Evaluation of Atopic Dermatitis and Infectious Disorders Using Sequential Pattern Mining

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease related with abnormal immune response and epidermal barrier function impairment. The aim of our study was to estimate the association between AD and infectious disorders in real world. We analyzed population-based data from 2010 to 2013 using National Health Insurance Service. Sequential pattern mining (SPM) was used to identify comorbid infectious diseases and onset duration of the comorbidities. Patients with AD were at higher risk for molluscum contagiosum (adjusted odd ratio (aOR) 5.273), impetigo (aOR 2.852), chicken pox (aOR 2.251) and otitis media (aOR 1.748), eczema herpeticum (aOR 1.292), viral wart (aOR 1.105). Our study suggests that AD is associated with increased risk of infectious disorders. In particular, care should be taken for early diagnosis of comorbidity and appropriate management.