Poorer Sleep Quality Associated With Asthma Plus Atopic Dermatitis

After careful consideration, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology canceled its annual meeting that was to take place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from March 13 to 16, because of concerns regarding the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Although the live events will not proceed as planned, our readers can still find coverage of research that was scheduled to be presented at the meeting.

Children with asthma and atopic dermatitis experience worse outcomes in terms of sleep and lung function compared with children with asthma alone, according to research intended to be presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.

Using data from the Nocturnal Asthma and Performance in School study, researchers examined sleep and asthma outcomes in urban minority children to assess whether coexisting atopic dermatitis increases the risk for poorer asthma outcomes and sleep quality.

The study population included 206 children aged 7 to 9 years with asthma only and 35 children with asthma and atopic dermatitis. Asthma outcomes were examined, including lung function assessed via handheld spirometer, asthma control test (ACT), and a daily caregiver report of asthma symptoms. Sleep outcomes were assessed via actigraphy.

Investigators found that the number of nighttime awakenings were highest in children with asthma plus atopic dermatitis (F=5.82; P =.003). No differences in lung function assessed via handheld spirometer (FEV₁), poorly or well-controlled ACT score, or caregiver reported asthma symptoms were noted in children with asthma alone vs with asthma and atopic dermatitis. However, the researchers noted that children with a higher number of nighttime awakenings had a lower mean FEV₁ (rho=-0.39, P =.03).

“In urban minority children with asthma [plus atopic dermatitis], sleep outcomes were poorer than their asthma alone counterparts,” the researchers concluded. “Interventions including children with asthma and/or [atopic dermatitis] may need to include a focus on the disease management to improve sleep quality and lung function.”

Reference

Aquino M, Kopel S, Dunsiger S, Mitchell DK. Asthma and sleep outcomes in pediatric urban children with & without atopic dermatitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2020;145(Suppl 2):AB204. 

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