THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF ATOPIC DERMATITIS AND PSORIASIS IN 775,995 BRAZILIAN INDIGENOUS PEOPLE: A CLUE TO GENETIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL RISK FACTORS?
Atopic dermatitis, Psoriasis, Prevalence, Amerindian people.
Introduction: Atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriasis are multifactorial diseases that occur because of a complex interaction between genetic and environmental factors. We aim to calculate 2022 period prevalence of AD and psoriasis in a 775,995 patients’ database exclusively for Brazilian Amerindians. Methods: We accessed the Information Systems for Indigenous Health Care (SIASI) version 4.0, a national system responsible for grouping 34 Sanitary Indigenous Districts. We searched for entries that classified target diseases according to the International Classification of Diseases – 10 (ICD-10). Social and economic development of each community was evaluated according to a proxy based on infant mortality rates. Period prevalence was compared using an ecological method. Results: We identified the medical records of 15,055 patients with AD and 988 patients diagnosed with psoriasis. The prevalence of AD in the total population was 194.01/10,000 (1.94%) and the prevalence of psoriasis was 25.39/10.000 (0.13%) patients. The prevalence of AD and psoriasis was lower in the Yanomami territory, the most isolated indigenous Sanitary District when compared to Districts located at more developed areas located in Central-West, Southeast, and South Brazilian regions. AD prevalence was inversely related to local infant mortality rates. Conclusions: Although less frequent than in general population, AD and psoriasis are still relevant skin morbidities in Brazilian Amerindian communities. Remote indigenous communities presented lower prevalence values, probably reflecting specific genetic and environmental factors.