Multicenter questionnaires on the current management of atopic dermatitis in Korea

Abstract

Purpose: The effective management of atopic dermatitis (AD) adjusted to individual clinical courses and demands can be challenging to both patients and physicians. Understanding of actual situations, experienced and perceived by patients with AD and their caregivers, is essential to improve clinical outcomes and satisfaction in real practice. Methods: This multicenter survey was conducted in patients with AD or their caregivers from 9 centers with questionnaires on diagnosis and management of AD. Results: A total of 324 patients and caregivers participated in the study. Most of the AD cases were initially diagnosed by physicians (80.6%), followed by self-diagnosis. Patients and caregivers thought that allergic substances, such as house dust mites, food, and pollutants, are responsible for AD development; moisturization, environmental control, and improvement of the body constitution are important for AD management. Allergy tests were performed in 194 patients (59.9%), but allergen avoidance strategy was instructed in only 81 subjects (41.8%). Major topical medications were steroids (81.8%) and topical immunomodulators (34.3%), while systemic medications were steroids (42.6%), antihistamines (36.4%), and cyclosporins (2.8%). One hundred eighty-one subjects (55.9%) had received complementary alternative medicine, including Oriental medicine. Many subjects desired to receive individualized management, use of specialized institutions for AD as well as evidence-based, effective, sustainable treatment. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that there may still be an unmet need for patients with AD in real practice. Personalized, evidence-based, and multidisciplinary approaches, including patient education, should be implemented for good outcomes.