Anne Sofie Frølunde

Atopic dermatitis is a common inflammatory skin disease affecting up to 10% of adults. Whether atopic dermatitis exhibits a strong systemic inflammatory signature remains debated. We characterized peripheral whole-blood alterations in adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis undergoing treatment with dupilumab or baricitinib therapy. Blood samples were collected at weeks 0, 4, and 16. Whole-blood proteins were measured using Olink, transcriptomic profiling was performed by RNA sequencing, and torque teno virus plasma levels were quantified by qPCR. During targeted atopic dermatitis therapy with dupilumab or baricitinib, clustering of samples based on gene expression levels showed no separation by time or treatment, with only a limited number of differentially expressed genes. Proteomic changes were similarly modest; however, treatment was consistently associated with decreased CCL17/TARC levels. Teno torque virus plasma load remained stable throughout therapy, indicating preserved immunocompetence. These findings suggest that the dominant inflammatory processes in atopic dermatitis may be largely tissue-restricted, supporting the use of peripheral biomarkers for pragmatic monitoring rather than mechanistic discovery.

Background: Pregnancy induces physiological changes that often impact skin health, leading to both the onset and exacerbation of dermatological conditions. Despite potential implications for maternal well‐being and foetal outcomes, evidence‐based treatment and skincare guidance during pregnancy remain limited. Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of dermatological diseases, treatment patterns and changes in disease activity during pregnancy, with particular focus on whether physician counselling influences continuation of treatment. We also explored concerns about product safety and sources of information. Methods: A cross‐sectional questionnaire‐based study was conducted among pregnant women attending routine ultrasound examinations at Aarhus University Hospital from October 2024 to January 2025. The questionnaire addressed demographics, dermatological conditions and treatment, skincare practices, concerns and informational sources. Results: A total of 273 pregnant women responded. One third (33.7%) reported having an active dermatological condition within 1 year prior to pregnancy confirmation; most prevalent were atopic dermatitis (11%), acne (9.2%) and hand eczema (7.3%). More than half of the women (56%) experienced symptom worsening during pregnancy, yet only 24% consulted a healthcare professional. Following pregnancy confirmation, 57.6% discontinued treatment—81.1% without consulting a healthcare professional. Physician consultation was significantly associated with continued treatment (RR = 2.63, 95% CI: 1.55−4.44, p = 0.0005) and identified as protective against treatment discontinuation (OR = 0.11, 95% CI: 0.03−0.40, p = 0.001). Concerns about product safety were common (16.9% for emollients; 35.9% for prescription medication). The majority relied on online sources (50.2%) for information, while 13.9% received professional guidance. Conclusions: There are substantial gaps in dermatological care and skincare guidance during pregnancy. Many women experienced worsening of their dermatological diseases during pregnancy, and many discontinued their treatment without professional input. These findings emphasize the need for evidence‐based information and patient‐centred communication to support informed decision‐making and to improve maternal and foetal health outcomes.

Dermatophyte infections are common in general practice and occur more often in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D), but whether they signal undiagnosed T2D remains unclear. We conducted a register-based cohort study including positive PCR tests for dermatophyte infection from the feet or nails, matched 1:3 to individuals from the same geographic area in Denmark. Those with known diabetes, type 1 diabetes or aged under 20 were excluded. Incidence rates (IRs) and incidence rate ratios (IRRs) for new-onset T2D were estimated using Poisson regression. The final cohort comprised 78,140 individuals, with a median age of 51 years, and 60.8% were male. The IR for T2D was 9.23 per 100 person-years in the exposed group and 9.00 in the unexposed group, with an adjusted IRR of 1.00 (0.91–1.11, p=0.94), indicating no significant association. In a sensitivity analysis excluding unexposed individuals with prior topical antifungal treatment, the IRR increased to 1.15 (1.08–1.23, p=0.001). While the primary analysis showed no significant association, the sensitivity analysis suggested a modest increased risk when exposure misclassification was reduced, supporting dermatophyte infection as a possible early signal of undiagnosed T2D in selected populations.

Atopic dermatitis is the most common chronically or chronically relapsing inflammatory skin disease, characterized by intense pruritus, eczematous lesions, and a significant disease burden. Emerging evidence in recent years suggests that atopic dermatitis and the associated chronic systemic inflammation have health implications beyond the skin. For psoriasis, another chronic inflammatory skin disease, the association with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is well-established. Recent studies have demonstrated a similar association between atopic dermatitis and CVDs such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and major cardiovascular events. CVDs are the leading cause of death in the USA and Europe, and information about a heart-healthy lifestyle for patients at heightened risk is important. This narrative review focuses on recent studies investigating the association between atopic dermatitis and hypertension, ischemic heart disease including myocardial infarction and coronary heart disease, cardiac arrhythmias, and the association between atopic dermatitis, cardiovascular diseases, and a sedentary lifestyle. The associations between atopic dermatitis and CVDs appear to be more pronounced for moderate to severe disease across all included cardiovascular conditions in this review, suggesting a potential impact from systemic inflammation linked to atopic dermatitis. However, it remains uncertain whether the increased cardiovascular risk is directly attributable to the inflammatory nature of atopic dermatitis or may result from reduced physical activity commonly seen in these patients.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing skin condition that significantly affects children and their families. Treatment ranges from topical to systemic therapies, but evidence on long‐term recurrence following different treatment strategies in paediatric AD remains limited. Objectives: To explore recurrence rates in paediatric patients with AD after topical versus systemic treatment in a specialised AD clinic. Methods: This retrospective observational study included children (0–12 years) diagnosed with AD and treated at a tertiary university hospital in Denmark between 2019 and 2023. Patients were grouped based on treatment: systemic (with topical) versus topical only. Re‐referral to the department served as a proxy for recurrence. Kaplan–Meier curves were used to estimate time to re‐referral. Cox proportional hazards regression adjusted for baseline disease severity (mild, moderate and severe). Results: A total of 166 patients were included. Around 50% of discharged patients were re‐referred within 30 months. Kaplan–Meier analysis suggested a trend towards longer remission in those treated with systemic therapy compared to topical treatment alone. In Cox regression, receiving only topical treatment showed a non‐significant trend towards higher risk of re‐referral (HR = 5.5, 95% CI: 0.73–41.8), while higher baseline disease severity was significantly associated with increased risk of re‐referral (HR = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.2–4.5). Conclusions: Systemic therapy may be associated with longer remission periods in paediatric AD, particularly in patients with more severe disease. While some findings were not statistically conclusive, the results indicate a trend that underlines the importance of individualised treatment strategies balancing efficacy and long‐term disease control.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin disease affecting 5–8% of adults, with many being of reproductive age and potentially experiencing AD- and treatment-related challenges during family planning and pregnancy (FPP). This study examined whether patients with AD receive FPP-related information from their dermatologist and their concerns about pregnancy and breastfeeding. A cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted among 18–45-year-old patients with AD treated at dermatology departments in university hospitals or private dermatology clinics in Denmark, all undergoing either topical or systemic treatment. A total of 121 patients participated in the study. The most pronounced concern was the heritable nature of AD (88.4%), followed by concerns about the teratogenicity of their treatments (29.8%). Additionally, 37.1% of women expressed concern about their ability to breastfeed. One-third of patients with AD had discussed FPP with their dermatologists prior to pregnancy, and 15% reported having fewer biological children than they desired due to their disease. Adult patients with AD have significant unmet informational needs regarding FPP. Addressing these concerns at appropriate stages in their lives, potentially through structured communication, could provide patients with better opportunities to address their concerns and plan their family life based on comprehensive and accurate information.