Chapter III: differential diagnosis, clinical evaluation, biomarker

Abstract

Chapter III of the "Japanese guidance for the prevention and treatment of pediatric atopic dermatitis 2024" provides an overview of differential diagnosis and severity assessment. An accurate evaluation of severity is essential for selecting treatment options and determining their effectiveness in atopic dermatitis. Biomarkers such as serum thymus and activation-regulated chemokine and serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen 2 are primarily used to assess disease severity and treatment response. For clinical evaluation, simple tools such as the investigator's global assessment scale and eczema area and severity index score are used in daily practice and for those undergoing systemic therapy, respectively. Additionally, repeatedly differentiating atopic dermatitis from other diseases is necessary if there are any inconsistencies in the characteristics of individual skin lesions or their response to anti-inflammatory topical medications.