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- Page navigation anchor for Molluscum contagiosum and associations with atopic eczema in children: a retrospective longitudinal study in primary careMolluscum contagiosum and associations with atopic eczema in children: a retrospective longitudinal study in primary care
Olsen et al. conducted a retrospective longitudinal study and an age-sex matched case-cohort study to test the hypothesis that a history of atopic eczema (AE) increased the risk of developing molluscum contagiosum (MC) in childhood, aged 0 to 14 years.1 Odds ratio (95% CI) of AE for MC consultation was 1.13 (1.11 to 1.16). I have two concerns about their study.
First, MC itself makes AE worse, and appropriate care for MC is needed in patients with AE.2 In order to improve symptoms of itching, supportive therapy without topical glucocorticoids is required. Olsen et al. previously reported that there was a lack of data on the natural history of MC regarding risk factors, duration of symptoms or transmission between family members.3 Although the prevalence of MC has been declined significantly during the past decade, AE is associated with an increased risk of a subsequent incidence of MC.1 Bidirectional association between MC and AE can be considered, and interventional studies and meta-analysis would also be effective to confirm the causal association.
Second, poor sleep in patients with AE4,5 should be considered for subsequent infection of MC. Although MC is considered as a disease with good prognosis, the use of topical glucocorticoids for AE should be handled with caution.
References
1. Olsen JR, Piguet V, Gallacher J, Francis NA. Molluscum...
Show MoreCompeting Interests: None declared.