D1.245 - The role of advanced glycation end products as facilitating factors in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis in pediatric patients

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common chronic inflammatory skin disease, mainly affecting children living in urban and high-income arcas. Over the last decades, AD prevalence has markedly increased, currently affecting up to 20% of children, often within the first year of life. During the same period, dietary habits have changed, with increased consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) rich in advanced glycation end products(AGEs). We investigated the potential role of AGEs in pediatric AD development and severity.

Prospective observational comparative study including 100 children aged 3-10 years: 50 with AD and 50 healthy controls (HCs). AGEs dietary intake and skin accumulation were measured and correlation with ADseverity (SCORAD/EASI scores) and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) were also evaluated.

50 AD patients (mean age 91.5+24 months) and 50 HCs (mean age 94.6130 months) were enrolled. The mean SCORAD and EASI scores in AD patients were 32.54 (SD 11.43) and 5.11 (SD 3.12) respectively. AD patients showed higher AGEs dietary intake (CML 1.99 ‡ 0.67 vs 1.20 ‡ 0.46; CEL 1.37 ‡ 0.55 vs 0.95 ‡ 0.45 and MGH1 13.13 ‡ 5.09 vs 17.94 + 3.05) and skin accumulation (1.14‡0.21 vs 0.9810.28 sAF/UI; p<0.001) compared with HCs. AGEs dietary intake and skin accumulation correlated with SCORAD (r=0.66, p<0.0001),EASI scores (1=0.46, p<0.001; and TEWL values (r=0.64, p<0.0001) in both groups.

In conclusion, the results of this study suggest a potential role of dietary AGEs exposure in modulating AD occurrence and diseases course. Altogether these data support the importance of nutritional education forlimiting the AD discase burden.