The two may be linked.
Eczema, a common skin condition, has been linked to an increased risk of a severe condition called peripheral vascular disease (PVD), according to recent findings published in Clinical and Experimental Dermatology. Researchers report that people with eczema, or atopic dermatitis, have a significantly higher likelihood of developing PVD, a disease that can lead to leg amputation in severe cases.
The study revealed that 11% of people with eczema are affected by PVD, compared to just 6% of individuals without eczema. Dr. Jeffrey Cohen, senior researcher and assistant professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine, noted that this study enhances the understanding of how eczema may relate to cardiovascular health issues.
Peripheral vascular disease involves the narrowing of blood vessels in the legs, leading to pain, non-healing wounds, and, if untreated, gangrene that may necessitate amputation. For this study, researchers examined data from over 260,000 adults through a National Institutes of Health program and found that eczema patients have a 23% higher risk of developing PVD, even after accounting for other risk factors.
The exact reason why eczema is associated with an elevated risk of PVD remains unclear, though it may be connected to the body’s immune response and the inflammation associated with eczema. Dr. Cohen suggests that factors like chronic inflammation, lower physical activity levels, and sleep disturbances often seen in eczema patients could contribute to the increased risk.
These findings suggest that doctors should monitor the cardiovascular health of patients with eczema more closely. “Our growing insight into cardiovascular disease in those with atopic dermatitis highlights the need for preventive measures, such as routine cardiovascular screening and managing risk factors in this group,” Cohen added in a Yale news release.
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