Atopic Disease in Sexually Diverse Individuals: An Analysis

TOPLINE:

The prevalence of atopic diseases is higher among people who self-identify as sexually diverse (SD) compared with those who self-identify as heterosexual.

METHODOLOGY:

• The study addressed the lack of data on the prevalence of atopic diseases in SD people — those who self-identify as gay or lesbian, bisexual, or something else.

TAKEAWAY:

• Among all respondents, 25,701 identified themselves as heterosexual or straight and 1311 identified themselves as SD.

• On multivariable-adjusted analysis, SD respondents were more likely to report AD compared with heterosexual respondents (11.1% vs 7.2%, respectively; adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.49).

• Similarly, SD respondents were more likely to report asthma compared with heterosexual respondents (12% vs 7.8%, respectively; AOR, 1.39), as well as allergic rhinitis (33.7% vs 25.6%; AOR, 1.30).

IN PRACTICE:

• “Further research is needed to identify factors contributing to these differences, including environmental, socioeconomic, and sociocultural factors and minority stress,” the authors wrote.

SOURCE:

• Matthew D. Mansh. MD, Department of dermatology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, led the study, published as a research letter on July 12, 2023, in JAMA Dermatology.

LIMITATIONS:

• The authors acknowledged that the analysis is limited by self-reported survey data, potential recall bias, and lack of data on gender.

DISCLOSURES:

For more news, follow Medscape on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.