Our study adds to the current knowledge of genetic susceptibility by demonstrating for the first time an interactive effect between SNPs in IL13 (rs20541) and STAT6 (rs1059513) on the occurrence of eczema in two independent samples.
The minor TT genotype of SNP rs1800925 was significantly associated with an increased risk of eczema in the co-dominant model: the adjusted odds ratio was 2.19 (95% confidence interval: 1.03-4.67).SNP rs20541 was not related to eczema.
The significant association of the rs20541 SNP with eczema essentially disappeared after additional adjustment for the rs1800925 SNP, whereas a relationship with the rs1800925 SNP remained significant.
The minor TT genotype of the rs1800925 SNP and the minor AA genotype of the rs20541 SNP were significantly related to an increased risk of eczema: adjusted odds ratio for the TT genotype was 2.78 (95% confidence interval 1.22-6.30) and that for the AA genotype was 2.38 (95% confidence interval 1.35-4.18).