Atopic dermatitis among children and adolescents in the Arctic region - a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Level 3 - non-randomized controlled study
Systematic review and meta-analysis of observational epidemiological studies
PubMed 33829579 · doi:10.1111/jdv.17276
What was done
The authors searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for studies published between 1990 and 2020 reporting epidemiological data, clinical manifestations, or risk factors for atopic dermatitis (AD) in children and adolescents in the Arctic region. Data from 21 studies across 8 Arctic regions were extracted and meta-analyzed to estimate pooled cumulative incidence and 1-year prevalence with 95% confidence intervals (CI).
What was found
Across 21 studies including 31,403 participants, the pooled cumulative incidence of AD was 23% (95% CI 20-26) and the 1-year prevalence was 19% (95% CI 15-25). Incidence was higher in Arctic parts of Scandinavia and lower in Greenland and Russia. Children of indigenous descent had an incidence of 19% (95% CI 13-26). The dominant clinical phenotype was mild-to-moderate flexural dermatitis with facial involvement. Asthma and allergic rhinitis co-occurred in 20-30% of children with AD.
Why it matters
This review establishes pooled baseline epidemiological estimates for pediatric eczema across Arctic regions, identifying substantial geographical variations and lower rates among indigenous populations.
Limits
The included evidence is observational and spans a 30-year timeframe (1990-2020), which may introduce diagnostic and reporting heterogeneity. Abstract data do not detail individual study quality, exposure definitions, or specific genetic and behavioral drivers.
Cited by
- contradicts Conditions including autism, atopy, allergies, asthma, eczema, and autoimmune diseases are largely absent in indigenous cultures worldwide.