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. 2025 Feb;37(1):12-21.
doi: 10.5021/ad.24.049.

2023 Consensus Korean Diagnostic Criteria for Atopic Dermatitis

Ji Hyun Lee #  1 , Sul Hee Lee #  2 , Youin Bae  3 , Young Bok Lee  4 , Yong Hyun Jang  5 , Jiyoung Ahn  6 , Joo Yeon Ko  7 , Hyun-Chang Ko  8 , Hye One Kim  9 , Chan Ho Na  10 , Young-Joon Seo  11 , Min Kyung Shin  12 , Yu Ri Woo  13 , Bark Lyn Lew  12 , Dong Hun Lee  14 , Sang Eun Lee  15 , Jiehyun Jeon  16 , Sun Young Choi  17 , Tae Young Han  18 , Yang Won Lee  19 , Sang Wook Son  20 , Young Lip Park  21
Affiliations

2023 Consensus Korean Diagnostic Criteria for Atopic Dermatitis

Ji Hyun Lee et al. Ann Dermatol. 2025 Feb.

Abstract

Background: In 2006, the Korean Atopic Dermatitis Association (KADA) working group released the diagnostic criteria for Korean atopic dermatitis (AD). Recently, more simplified, and practical AD diagnostic criteria have been proposed.

Objective: Based on updated criteria and experience, we studied to develop and share a consensus on diagnostic criteria for AD in Koreans.

Materials and methods: For the diagnostic criteria, a questionnaire was constructed by searching the English-language literature in MEDLINE and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. A modified Delphi method composed of 3 rounds of email questionnaires was adopted for the consensus process. Fifty-four KADA council members participated in the 3 rounds of votes and expert consensus recommendations were established.

Results: Diagnostic criteria for AD include pruritus, eczema with age-specific pattern, and chronic or relapsing history. Diagnostic aids for AD encompass xerosis, immunoglobulin E reactivity, hand-foot eczema, periorbital changes, periauricular changes, perioral changes, nipple eczema, perifollicular accentuation, and personal or family history of atopy.

Conclusion: This study streamlined and updated the diagnostic criteria for AD in Korea, making them more practicable for use in real-world clinical field.

Keywords: Atopic dermatitis; Dermatitis; Diagnosis; Guideline; Korea.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have nothing to disclose.

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