Serotonin Levels in Atopic Dermatitis Patients

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic pruritic inflammatory skin disease of unknown aetiology. Global prevalence rates range from 1%-20%.AD is often worsened by stress and anxiety.Plasma levels of 5-HT were found to be positively correlated with the disease severity.

Detailed Description
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Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic pruritic inflammatory skin disease of unknown aetiology. The condition typically starts in infancy with changing presentations over the years. Incessant pruritus is the main symptom. Main findings include: xerosis, eczematous lesions, Ig E reactivity, relapsing course and personal or family history of other atopic diatheses .Global prevalence rates range from 1%-20%. AD is often worsened by stress and anxiety. Moreover, a mutual relationship between the neuroendocrine system and the immune system; including the skin has been suggested. Different mediators are responsible for this relation. Serotonin is considered as one of the most important responsible mediators (5-hydroxy-tryptamine; 5-HT) . Patients with AD have been reported to have high serum levels of 5-HT. Moreover, plasma levels of 5-HT were found to be positively correlated with the disease severity. However and to the best of the investigators' knowledge, no studies have addressed this point in Egypt. Treatment of AD includes: Elimination of triggers, emollients, topical therapies, and systemic modalities including SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) and TCAs (Tricyclic Antidepressants) in certain cases. SSRIs block the reuptake of serotonin, thus increase the concentration of serotonin within synaptic clefts. The mechanism of action in relation to pruritus is not understood, but SSRIs have been used to treat atopic dermatitis associated pruritus

Official Title
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Serotonin Levels in Atopic Dermatitis Patients and Its Relation to Disease Severity

Conditions
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Dermatologic Disease

Intervention / Treatment
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* Diagnostic Test: Serum serotonin level


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: All patients with the clinical diagnosis of AD. Age more than 2 Exclusion Criteria: Age less than 2 years. Any concomitant systemic or dermatological disease. Patients on any topical or systemic treatment during the past one month. Uncooperative patients. Refusal to participate

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 2 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Patients withf Atopic Dermatitis<br>Diagnosis is based upon American Academy of Dermatology recommendations for Diagnostic Criteria 2014. | Diagnostic Test: Serum serotonin level<br>* blood sample will be obtained to evaluate serum level of serotonin<br>|
| healthy volunteers<br>Normal individuals not complaining of any dermatological diseases | Diagnostic Test: Serum serotonin level<br>* blood sample will be obtained to evaluate serum level of serotonin<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| SCORAD | Scoring Atopic Dermatitis SCORAD is a clinical tool for assessing the severity of AD as objectively as possible. It includes: A: Spread B: Intensity C: Subjective symptoms | one month | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Beck's depression score (Arabic version) | its a psychiatric 13 items questionnaire to determine the severity of depression | one month | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Atopic Dermatitis, serotonin