Serotonin Levels in Atopic Dermatitis Patients and its Relation to Disease Severity and Depression: A Case-Control Study

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an itchy, chronic inflammatory skin disease with frequent remissions and relapses. AD can greatly affect patients' lives by causing significant psychological distress. The neuroendocrine system and the immune system, including the skin, are connected and influenced by various mediators like Serotonin.Aim of the Study: We aimed to estimate serum levels of Serotonin in AD patients in comparison to healthy individuals and to correlate serum Serotonin levels with patients` demographic data, clinical characteristics, and severity and depression scales.Patients and Methods: This study included 40 (23 males and 17 females) patients with a clinical diagnosis of AD and 40 healthy volunteers. All patients were subjected to clinical examinations, evaluation of severity using scoring atopic dermatitis (SCORAD), and measuring serum Serotonin level by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). For patients more than 7 years old, the 12-Item Pruritus Severity Scale and Beck Depression Inventory Scale were evaluated.Results: Serum Serotonin level was significantly lower in AD patients than in the control group. Significant negative correlations between Serotonin level with patients' age, SCORAD, 12-Item Pruritus Severity Scale, and Beck Depression Inventory Scale were noticed.Conclusion: Serum Serotonin level, as a marker of psychological comorbidities, is low in AD patients. Severe AD cases, especially in older age groups, are more liable to psychiatric comorbidities.