Serum concentration of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and testosterone in women with severe atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Although a growing body of evidence indicates that androgens modulate immune response and certain alterations in sex hormone metabolism and balance are thought to predispose an individual to immune-mediated diseases, few studies have investigated the role of androgens in atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome (AEDS). OBJECTIVE: We evaluated serum concentration of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and total testosterone in women with severe AEDS to characterize the hormonal milieu of such patients. METHODS: Serum concentrations of DHEA-S and total testosterone in 13 female patients with severe AEDS were compared with concentrations in weight- and age-matched healthy controls. Measurement was by electrical chemiluminescence immunoassay. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in serum concentrations of DHEA-S or testosterone between the 2 groups. We found no correlation between serum concentrations of DHEA-S and total immunoglobulin E. CONCLUSION:This small study suggests there may be no abnormalities in peripheral blood concentrations of DHEAS-S and total testosterone in women with severe AEDS.