OBJECTIVES Numerous studies have reported associations between atopic dermatitis (AD) and depression, but the causal relationship between the 2 diseases has not been established. Therefore, this study used the propensity score method to investigate whether there was a positive causal effect of AD on depression in 16 regions (cities and provinces) in Korea.
METHODS
The study analyzed 16 regions (cities and provinces) in Korea, using data obtained from the Korea Community Health Survey for the years 2010-2013. Propensity score matching was used to estimate the causal influence of AD on depression in Korea.
RESULTS
After propensity score matching, the standardized difference for each covariate among the 16 regions (cities and provinces) was less than 1, indicating a balance between the case and control groups. At the national level, those diagnosed with AD had a 2.31 times higher risk for being diagnosed with depression than those who had not been diagnosed with AD. In particular, the risk was highest in North Jeolla Province (odds ratio [OR], 4.87; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.28 to 10.43) and lowest in Gwangju (OR, 1.82; 95% CI, 0.87 to 3.79), and the OR for Seoul was 2.23 (95% CI, 1.66 to 2.99).
CONCLUSIONS
This study provides insights into how causal inferences can be derived from observational studies, through an analysis of Korea Community Health Survey data. Furthermore, the study results have implications for region-specific guidelines for preventive health policies targeting depression.
Summary
Korean summary
성향 점수 매칭을 이용하여 전국 및 16개 시/도 별 아토피 피부염과 우울증 사이의 인과성을 추정한 결과, 전국에서 아토피 피부염을 진단 받은 사람이 진단 받지 않은 사람들에 비해 우울증 위험도가 2.38배 높았다(CI: 1.29-4.38).
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
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