Peking University - Juntendo University Joint Symposium on Brain and Skin Diseases

Atopic Dermatitis: Where We Are

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that causes itching. The prevalence of AD in China has increased during the past three decades. Congenital and environmental factors are considered to be involved in the pathogenesis of AD. These factors include skin barrier function defects and immunological abnormalities. In China, AD and eczema are regarded as different diseases, and the diagnosis of AD and eczema are often confused. We analyzed the clinical data of 2,662 adult and adolescent patients (≥ 12 years old) who had suffered from symmetrical eczema for more than two months. One third of the patients were diagnosed as AD, while two thirds were diagnosed as eczema. The patients’ clinical manifestations were quite heterogeneous. Based on the patients’ clinical findings and the concept of AD, we proposed highly sensitive and specific Chinese criteria for adult/adolescent AD. Revised Chinese guidelines for AD were published in 2014. However, a number of problems can still arise during the treatment of AD.