Air Quality Index (AQI) and Atopic Dermatitis Risk in Taiwan: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study

This nationwide population-based cohort study in Taiwan investigated the link between air pollution and atopic dermatitis (AD) risk, using data from 20,998,039 participants over 11 years. The study found a significant dose-response relationship between higher Air Quality Index (AQI) levels and increased AD risk. Compared to the reference group with AQI <75, those exposed to AQI levels of 75-84, 85-94, and ≥95 had adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) of 1.57, 4.53, and 9.62, respectively, all with p<0.001. Additionally, each unit increase in AQI was associated with an 8% increase in AD risk (aHR: 1.08, p<0.001). The study concludes that poor air quality is strongly associated with higher AD risk in Taiwan.