An expert panel from the International Eczema Council recently made recommendations for when atopic dermatitis (AD) may warrant systemic therapy. In a Comments On article, commenters stated that the recommendations offered were “narrow in scope” because atopic dermatitis is a condition where not only a holistic, systematic approach must be taken, but a holistic biopsychological approach should be used.
According to the commenters, additional factors that may worsen AD are mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety, as well as chronic, habitual scratching. Therefore, the commenters stated that the focus of the approach should include screening for anxiety and depression and asking the patients about the frequency and intensity of their itching. Doing so might limit the use of expensive and toxic therapies and, hopefully, increase the likelihood that patients receive “truly holistic and clinically effective care” for their AD, the commenters concluded.
Read the comments at the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. (Open Access)
Work Cited:
Comment on: “When does atopic dermatitis warrant systemic therapy? Recommendations from an expert panel of the International Eczema Council” Daunton, Adam et al., Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Volume 79, Issue 2, e23-e24