Profile of Comorbidities Associated with Atopic Dermatitis at the Department of Dermatology of Antananarivo, Madagascar

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder which develops in flare-ups. It is a global public health problem, and in Madagascar, its prevalence is 5.6% in children and 0.5% in adults people. Atopic dermatitis is often associated with various comorbidities. The aim of this study is to describe the profile of comorbidities associated with atopic dermatitis. A cross-sectional and analytical study was conducted over a five-year period from January 2019 to March 2023, involving pediatric and adult patients with atopic dermatitis seen at the department of Dermatology at Joseph Raseta Befelatanana Hospital, Antananarivo. Cases with incomplete and unusable medical records were excluded. Out of 6,495 consultations, 93 cases of atopic dermatitis were observed, with a prevalence of 1.43%, a female predominance with a sex ratio of 0.83, and the average age was 10 years. We found 13 comorbidities, with personal atopy being the most common (55.91%), followed by smoking (55.91%). A significant correlation was found between passive smoking and the occurrence of atopic dermatitis (<i>p = 0.002</i>). A significant association was also observed between personal atopy and flare-ups of atopic dermatitis (<i>p < 0.05</i>). These comorbidities have an impact on the quality of life and psychiatric status of patients. Additionally, several factors (environmental, dietary, climatic) were identified as potential triggers for atopic dermatitis in our study. Our study confirms the presence of comorbidities in patients with atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis has implications for quality of life and psychological well-being.