Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Atopic Dermatitis 2016

• Published in: Journal of dermatology Vol. 43; no. 10; pp. 1117 - 1145
• Main Authors: Saeki, Hidehisa, Nakahara, Takeshi, Tanaka, Akio, Kabashima, Kenji, Sugaya, Makoto, Murota, Hiroyuki, Ebihara, Tamotsu, Kataoka, Yoko, Aihara, Michiko, Etoh, Takafumi, Katoh, Norito
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.10.2016; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Administration, Cutaneous; Administration, Oral; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - administration & dosage; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - adverse effects; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - therapeutic use; atopic dermatitis; Clinical medicine; clinical practice guideline; Dermatitis; Dermatitis, Atopic - blood; Dermatitis, Atopic - classification; Dermatitis, Atopic - diagnosis; Dermatitis, Atopic - therapy; Dermatologic Agents - administration & dosage; Dermatologic Agents - adverse effects; Dermatologic Agents - therapeutic use; diagnosis; Diet Therapy - methods; Evidence-Based Medicine; Glucocorticoids - administration & dosage; Glucocorticoids - adverse effects; Glucocorticoids - therapeutic use; Histamine Antagonists - administration & dosage; Histamine Antagonists - adverse effects; Histamine Antagonists - therapeutic use; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents - adverse effects; Immunosuppressive Agents - therapeutic use; Japan; Ointments; Patient Compliance; Patient Education as Topic; Prescription drugs; Pruritus; Pruritus - therapy; Quality of Life; Severity of Illness Index; Tacrolimus - administration & dosage; Tacrolimus - adverse effects; Tacrolimus - therapeutic use; treatment; Ultraviolet Therapy - methods; clinical practice guideline; treatment; atopic dermatitis; diagnosis; evidence-based medicine
• ISSN: 0385-2407; 1346-8138
• DOI: 10.1111/1346-8138.13392

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a disease characterized by relapsing eczema with pruritus as a primary lesion. Most patients have an atopic predisposition. The definitive diagnosis of AD requires the presence of all three features: (i) pruritus; (ii) typical morphology and distribution of the eczema; and (iii) chronic and chronically relapsing course. The current strategies to treat AD in Japan from the perspective of evidence‐based medicine consist of three primary measures: (i) the use of topical corticosteroids and tacrolimus ointment as the main treatment for the inflammation; (ii) topical application of emollients to treat the cutaneous barrier dysfunction; and (iii) avoidance of apparent exacerbating factors, psychological counseling and advice about daily life. The guidelines present recommendations to review clinical research articles, evaluate the balance between the advantages and disadvantages of medical activities, and optimize medical activity‐related patient outcomes with respect to several important points requiring decision‐making in clinical practice.