Javier ARELLANO
MD
Jefe Unidad de Dermatología – UNACESS
Hospital Clínico San Borja Arriarán
Profesor Asociado, Sede Centro – Departamento de Dermatología
Universidad de Chile
December 2023
I am a dermatologist, serve as the Chief of Dermatology at San Borja Arriarán Hospital, affiliated with the University of Chile, where I hold the position of Associate Professor. During my residency, I completed observer fellowships at Yale with Dr. Jean BOLOGNIA and at Harvard Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital, shaping my international perspective in dermatology.
With a commitment to academic excellence, I earned two master’s degrees, one in epidemiology and another in systemic autoimmune diseases. My dedication to education is evident through my participation in training courses and the acquisition of diplomas related to health teaching. I am an integral part of the teaching committee at the University of Chile’s Dermatology Department, imparting knowledge to both undergraduate students and dermatology residents.
In clinical practice, I specialize in immune-mediated skin diseases, particularly as the coordinator of the Atopic Dermatitis Working Group of the Chilean Society of Dermatology. I am recognized as a local and regional authority in this field, contributing significantly to the understanding and management of these dermatological conditions. My impactful contributions span clinical leadership, academic excellence, and a focus on advancing dermatological care in Chile.
Association of Environmental Ecological Variables with Atopic Dermatitis Incidence in France
Theoretical Framework:
The project aims to explore the association between environmental ecological variables and the incidence of atopic dermatitis in France. Atopic dermatitis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease, exhibits varying prevalence across age groups but is generally affected by genetic predisposition and environmental factors. The project specifically targets latitude, smoking, and water hardness as key environmental variables influencing atopic dermatitis.
- Latitude and Vitamin D Synthesis: Higher latitudes, closer to the equator, with increased ultraviolet radiation, show an inverse association with atopic dermatitis prevalence. Latitude serves as an intermediate variable influencing vitamin D synthesis, a factor implicated in immune function.
- Smoking’s Impact on Immunity: Smoking’s effect on humoral and cellular immunity is explored, with evidence suggesting a potential association between childhood exposure to smoking (active, passive, or during pregnancy) and atopic dermatitis.
- Water Hardness and Dermatitis Development: Water hardness, a factor in the mineral concentration of water, has been linked to the development and exacerbation of atopic dermatitis. Studies have found a significant association between residing in areas with harder water and increased incidence of atopic dermatitis in children.
Ecological Studies in Epidemiology:
Ecological studies, assessing variables at a population level, are chosen to demonstrate the association between ecological variables and atopic dermatitis. Despite potential ecological fallacy concerns, these studies are instrumental for shaping health policies by evaluating aggregated exposures at a population level.
Main Objective:
The primary objective is to evaluate the ecological association between population-based variables (latitude, water hardness, smoking prevalence) and the incidence of atopic dermatitis in France.
Hypothesis:
The project posits that the incidence of atopic dermatitis is significantly associated with ecological variables such as latitude, water hardness, and smoking prevalence in France.
Methodology:
The study adopts a cross-sectional ecological design, conducted at Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Rennes, France, over three months from May to July 2024. The focus is on evaluating the relationship between ecological variables and atopic dermatitis incidence, contributing valuable insights for public health policy considerations.