Canadian practical guide for the treatment and management of atopic dermatitis

Abstract

Background: Atopic dermatitis is a common condition, with a lifetime prevalence of approximately 10% to 20% among the Canadian population. A clear, practical, Canadian guideline for the management of these patients has been lacking.

Objective: To provide primary-care physicians, pediatricians and dermatologists with the first practical and comprehensive set of Canadian recommendations for the management of atopic dermatitis.

Methods: A group of Canadian dermatologists convened to review the current issues of diagnosis, treatment and international guidelines and adapt them to the Canadian context. The reviewers used the latest clinical trial data on atopic dermatitis, complemented by clinical experience, to develop the consensus recommendations found in this review.

Results: In the present report, following a brief review of the epidemiology of and clinical diagnosis criteria for atopic dermatitis, the recommendations for treatment and management are detailed. These recommendations, which are intended to provide clinicians with a useful and valuable tool to help manage their patients with atopic dermatitis, are divided into the following sections: epidemiology, diagnosis, general measures/skin care, acute management of atopic dermatitis, long-term management/disease control, adjunct therapies, and considerations for switching between antiinflammatory therapies/handling treatment failure. General measures discussed include hydration with bathing and the use of moisturizers. Management strategies discussed include topical corticosteroids, topical calcineurin inhibitors, antihistamines and anti-infectives. A management algorithm is also presented.