Vol. 6, Issue 1, Part A (2024)

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition involving complex interactions between immunologic, hereditary, and environmental influences.

Aim of the study: The aim of the study is to determine whether there is a correlation or relationship between serum zinc levels and the severity of atopic dermatitis.

Patients and Methods: This case-control study was conducted at Tikrit Teaching Hospital from August 15, 2023, to March 2024, involving 45 patients aged 2-18 years and 45 unaffected individuals as controls. Patients with acute or chronic diseases, zinc supplements, corticosteroids, antibiotics, or anti-inflammatory drugs will be excluded. The Atopic Dermatitis Score Index (SCORAD) will be used as the primary assessment tool, categorizing severity into mild, moderate, and severe. Thorough physical and dermatological evaluations will be conducted for all patients, recording comprehensive data such as age, sex, occupation, residence, disease duration, associated symptoms, and family history of atopic diseases. Serum zinc levels will be assessed using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique to evaluate the potential relationship between zinc deficiency and atopic dermatitis severity.

Results: The study reveals that the majority of Atopic Dermatitis disease (AD) patients are adolescents aged 14-18 years, with males accounting for 71.11% of the group. The majority of AD patients live in rural areas, with 60% in rural areas and 40% in urban ones. The study also reveals that 13.33% of AD patients are classified as mild, while 24.44% exhibit moderate AD. Serum zinc levels are significantly lower in AD patients compared to the control group, with a mean of 87.85±7.79 μg/dl. The mean serum zinc levels vary across different age groups, with younger age groups and male patients exhibiting lower levels. The study also shows a progressive decrease in mean serum zinc levels with increasing severity of AD. Patients with mild AD have the highest mean serum zinc level, followed by those with moderate AD with a mean level of 87.13±6.78 μg/dl. Conversely, patients with severe AD have the lowest mean serum zinc level. This inverse relationship between AD severity and serum zinc levels suggests a potential association between zinc deficiency and the exacerbation of AD symptoms. The findings suggest that age and gender may influence serum zinc levels in atopic dermatitis patients, with younger age groups and male patients exhibiting lower levels. These findings emphasize the importance of assessing serum zinc levels in AD patients, considering demographic factors and disease severity, to inform management strategies and improve treatment outcomes.