Atopic Diathesis in Patients with Kawasaki Disease

ObjectiveTo determine the association between Kawasaki disease (KD) and atopic diathesis (atopic dermatitis [AD], allergic rhinitis, and asthma) in children younger than 5 years of age.Study designIn this nationwide study, we aimed to analyze the association and temporal relationship between KD and atopic diathesis. Data were obtained from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan from 1997 to 2010. In total, 200 patients with KD younger than 5 years of age and 800 age- and sex-matched control subjects were enrolled.ResultsIn the whole study population, an increased risk of any concomitant atopic diseases was observed in patients with KD (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.15-2.26). The risk of AD was increased in male patients between 1 and 5 years of age (OR 3.02, 95% CI 1.22-7.50). More than 60% of the patients developed atopic diseases after the diagnosis of KD.ConclusionThere appears to be an association between KD and risk of AD. Most of the atopic diseases occurred after the episode of KD.