Phenotypes of atopic dermatitis identified by cluster analysis in early childhood

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, relapsing, inflammatory skin disease that usually appears in early childhood and develops into a heterogeneous disease during childhood. The clinical course and treatment for atopic dermatitis can differ according to its phenotype and/or endotype. This study aimed to identify clinical phenotypes of atopic dermatitis in early childhood. Data were obtained from 572 children under 3 years of age with atopic dermatitis. Cluster analysis applied to 11 variables, and we identified four clusters of atopic dermatitis. Children in cluster A (n = 141) had early-onset atopic dermatitis with high blood eosinophil counts, serum total immunoglobulin E and rates of sensitization to food allergens. Children in cluster B (n = 218) had early-onset atopic dermatitis with low blood eosinophil counts, serum total immunoglobulin E and rates of sensitization to both food and inhalant allergens. Children in cluster C (n = 53) had early-onset atopic dermatitis with high C-reactive protein levels and white blood cell counts. Children in cluster D (n = 160) had middle-onset atopic dermatitis with high serum total immunoglobulin E and rates of sensitization to inhalant allergens. Cluster A had the highest Scoring for Atopic Dermatitis and transepidermal water loss values. Age at onset, age at diagnosis, white blood cell count, eosinophil count, C-reactive protein and serum total immunoglobulin E level were the strongest predictors of cluster assignment. Analysis of these six variables alone resulted in correct classification of 95.5% of the subjects. These results support the heterogeneity of atopic dermatitis, even in early childhood.