Executive summary: Japanese guidelines for atopic dermatitis (ADGL) 2024

Abstract

This is an abridged edition of English version of the Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Atopic Dermatitis 2024. Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a disease characterized by relapsing eczema with pruritus as a primary lesion. A crucial aspect of AD treatment is the prompt induction of remission via the suppression of existing skin inflammation and pruritus. To achieve this, topical anti-inflammatory drugs such as topical corticosteroids, tacrolimus ointment, delgocitinib ointment, and difamilast ointment have been used. However, the following treatments should be considered in addition to topical therapy for patients with refractory moderate-to-severe AD: oral cyclosporine, subcutaneous injections of biologics (dupilumab, nemolizumab, tralokinumab), oral Janus kinase inhibitors (baricitinib, upadacitinib, abrocitinib), and phototherapy. In the revised guidelines, descriptions of five new drugs, namely, difamilast, nemolizumab, tralokinumab, upadacitinib, and abrocitinib, have been added. 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.

Keywords: Atopic dermatitis; Clinical practice guidelines; Decision-making; Evidence-based medicine; Treatment.