Atopic Dermatitis and Infertility: A Nationwide Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Given that common pathophysiological factors play a role in atopic dermatitis (AD) and infertility, we assumed that the 2 conditions might demonstrate an epidemiological association. Large-scale epidemiological data on this topic are lacking. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> The aim of this work was to evaluate the potential association between AD and infertility in a broad community-based population. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A nationwide retrospective cohort study was conducted, analyzing the association between AD and infertility. We compared AD patients diagnosed by a dermatologist between 2002 and 2018 and a matched control group. The study population was subdivided according to age into adults (age ≥18 years) and children (age &#x3c;18 years), and was further subdivided according to AD severity, classified as either mild or moderate-to-severe according to AD-related drug use and healthcare services utilization. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The study included 127,150 patients with AD and 127,071 comparison enrollees. AD was associated with a higher prevalence of infertility than that of the control group (1.4 and 1.1%, respectively). The prevalence of infertility, per 1,000 patient-years, was increased in patients with AD compared to that of the control group (2.17 and 1.7, respectively). Multivariate analysis for infertility demonstrated that AD was a key risk factor for infertility in both males and females with mild AD and moderate-to-severe AD. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> A significant association between AD and infertility was observed. This association suggests that infertility may be an additional manifestation of AD. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the impact of AD management in the setting of infertility and vice versa.