AD Not Linked to Early CV Risk Markers

Overview

A study involving 9,281 participants found no consistent association between active atopic dermatitis (AD) and early cardiovascular risk markers in pediatric patients.

Background

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common skin condition in children and adolescents, and its potential link to cardiovascular disease risk has been a topic of interest. Understanding whether AD is associated with early cardiovascular risk markers is crucial for guiding clinical management and screening recommendations. Previous studies have shown mixed results, highlighting the need for comprehensive longitudinal analyses.

Data Highlights

No significant associations were found between active AD and cardiometabolic risk scores at ages 15 and 17 years. Among 49 comparisons of individual cardiovascular risk factors, only two nominal associations with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were reported.

Key Findings

• Active AD was present in 13% to 22% of participants aged 3 to 18 years.
• No evidence of an association between active AD and cardiometabolic risk scores at ages 15 or 17 years.
• Two nominal associations were found involving LDL-C: lower at age 3 years and higher at age 10 years.
• No consistent dose-response pattern by AD severity was observed.
• Five longitudinal AD trajectory phenotypes showed no consistent associations with cardiovascular risk markers.
• Moderate-frequent AD at age 17 years and severe-frequent AD at age 24 years were associated with lower HDL-C.

Clinical Implications

The study indicates that pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis do not exhibit increased early cardiovascular risk.

Conclusion

This cohort study found no evidence of increased early cardiovascular risk in children and adolescents with predominantly mild atopic dermatitis.

Related Resources & Content

1. Ye M., et al., JAMA Network Open, 2026 -- Atopic Dermatitis and Markers of Early Cardiovascular Risk in Children and Adolescents
2. American Academy of Dermatology Guidelines: Awareness of comorbidities associated with atopic dermatitis in adults - ScienceDirect
3. Acta Neuropathologica — Cerebrovascular Disorders in Older Adults and Their Connection to Alzheimer’s Disease
4. Acta Neuropathologica — FMNL2 Influences Gliovascular Relationships and Correlates with Vascular Risk Factors and Cerebrovascular Changes in Alzheimer’s Disease
5. Frontiers in Psychiatry — Association between childhood ADHD problems and premature mortality: identifying modifiable cardiovascular mechanisms in a UK population cohort
6. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology — Age at first cardiovascular diagnosis and risk of subsequent cardiovascular events in patients with different types of cardiovascular disease
7. American Academy of Dermatology Guidelines: Awareness of comorbidities associated with atopic dermatitis in adults - ScienceDirect
8. Atopic Dermatitis and Markers of Early Cardiovascular Risk in Children and Adolescents
9. Cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes associated with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis - ScienceDirect