Evaluation of hemogram parameters in patients with atopic dermatitis

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the hemogram parameters of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) and contribute to the existing literature. Methods: This cross-sectional study retrospectively analyzed data from pediatric patients diagnosed with AD, who presented to the Pediatric Allergy and Immunology outpatient clinic at Ümraniye Training and Research Hospital between January 1, 2024, and August 15, 2024. The sociodemographic characteristics, hemogram parameters, total IgE values, allergy history, and allergy test results of the patients were evaluated. Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI), neutrophil/lymphocyte/platelet ratio (NLPR), and pan-immune-inflammation value (PIV) were calculated. Allergen-specific IgE measurements were performed using the ImmunoCAP method, and skin prick tests were conducted for food and inhalant allergens. The severity of AD was classified as mild or moderate-to-severe based on the potency of the topical corticosteroids used by the patients. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 29.0. Results: A total of 346 patients diagnosed with AD were included in the study. Among the patients, 53.8% were male, and the median age was 32.5 months. Mild AD was identified in 46.5% of the patients, while 53.5% had moderate-to-severe AD. Although sensitization to house dust mites, cats, eggs, and nuts was more frequent in patients with moderate-to-severe AD, no statistically significant difference was found between allergen sensitization and AD severity. Eosinophil count and eosinophillymphocyte ratio (ELR) were significantly higher in moderate-to-severe AD patients compared to those with mild AD (p=0.008 and p=0.004, respectively). No significant difference was found for other hemogram parameters and inflammatory markers. Patients with allergen sensitization had significantly higher WBC, basophil, eosinophil counts, and total IgE levels (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study evaluated the relationship between hematological parameters and allergen sensitization in AD patients. Eosinophil count and ELR were significantly elevated with increasing AD severity. However, NLR, SII, SIRI, NLPR, and PIV were not associated with AD severity. Patients with allergen sensitization had significantly higher WBC, eosinophil, basophil counts, and total IgE levels. Our findings suggest that eosinophil count and total IgE levels may serve as predictive markers for AD severity and allergen sensitization. Routine measurement of these parameters could offer a practical approach in determining AD severity and allergen sensitization. Further research is needed to clarify the clinical significance of other hematological parameters.