Association of atopic dermatitis with thyroid diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) and thyroid diseases have shared immune abnormalities, but their association was largely unclear. Objective To systematically examine the association of AD with thyroid diseases. Methods A systematic review was performed and the PubMed and Embase databases were searched on 26th August 2023. The risk of bias was assessed by using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. A random-effects model meta-analysis was performed and a subgroup analysis based on age groups was executed. Results The database searches yielded 205 records after removing duplicates. Nine case-controll studies with 5,367,891 subjects were included. The risk of bias of included was generally low to unclear. AD was significantly associated with thyroid diseases (pooled odds ratio (OR) 1.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23−1.85; studies = 6; I2 = 85%), which was present in both adults and children (pooled OR being 1.46 (95% CI 1.20−1.78; studies = 2; I2 = 63%) and 3.46 (95% CI 1.15−10.45; studies = 3; I2 = 63%). AD was also associated with Hashimoto disease (pooled OR 2.00, 95% CI 0.91−4.40, I2 = 95%; studies = 2) and Graves disease (pooled OR 2.21, 95% CI 0.59−8.31 I2 = 93%; studies = 2). Conclusions AD is associated with an increase of thyroid diseases. AD may be associated with Hashimoto and Graves diseases, but did not reach significance due to high statistical heterogeneity and paucity of evidence. Endocrinological consultation may be considered when AD patients present with thyroid symptoms.