Aim: We investigated if frequency of consumption of beverages was associated with disease severity and quality of life.
Methods: Parent-reported frequency and amounts of drinks and beverages were recorded in consecutive AE patients, and disease severity (Nottingham eczema severity score NESS), Children Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI), skin hydration (SH), transepidermal water loss (TEWL), blood pressures, resting heart rate, and body mass index evaluated.
Results: AE was associated with worse quality of life than miscellaneous non-eczema skin diseases (p<0.001). Fewer AE patients drank fresh milk (trend, p=0.062) but more drank miscellaneous beverages (such as Chinese herbal tea and soymilk p=0.030) when compared with non-eczema patients. In AE, NESS correlated with CDLQI (rho=0.66, p<0.001) and reduced SH (rho= -0.32, p<0.001), whereas CDLQI correlated with a higher resting pulse rate (rho=0.25, p=0.003). Multiple logistic regression showed male (odds ratio: 0.44, 95% CI:0.20-0.97; p=0.042) and fresh milk drinking (odds ratio: 0.42, 95% CI:0.20-0.93; p=0.031) were independent factors associated with less severe disease. Moderate-to-severe impairment of CDLQI was associated with NESS (odds ratio:1.48, 95% CI:1.28- 1.71; p<0.001) and pulse rates (odds ratio:1.05, 95% CI:1.02-1.08; p=0.002) but not with reported habits of beverage consumption. Concerning cardiovascular health in AE, frequency of formula milk consumption was associated with pulse rate (rho=0.17, p=0.044), and soft drink consumption was associated with higher systolic pressure (rho=0.18, p=0.044).
Conclusion: This study is important in providing evidence for parental/patient guidance. Eczema patients who reported more fresh milk consumption have less severe disease. There is no correlation between consumption of non-dairy beverages with disease severity or quality of life, but frequency of soft drink consumption correlates with systolic pressure. Backed by a literature review, it is reasonable to advice parents that fresh milk could be consumed in un-sensitized AE patients. Soft drinks and other beverages should not be consumed in excess for optimal cardiovascular or various health reasons.