Severe and Active Atopic Eczema Are Associated with Excess Cardiovascular Risk

Evidence is mixed on whether atopic eczema — a systemic inflammatory condition — is associated with excess cardiovascular (CV) risk. To examine this possible association, U.K. researchers conducted this population-based study, matching 390,000 atopic eczema patients with 1.5 million control patients without eczema (median age at study entry, 43).

After a median follow-up of 5 years, patients with atopic eczema had 17% higher relative risks for unstable angina and heart failure than did controls, after adjustment for multiple CV risks factors. Notably, compared with controls, patients with severe atopic eczema (requiring systemic immunosuppressant treatment, phototherapy, or referral) had significantly higher relative risks — mostly in the 30…