Annalisa Patrizi1,2, Antonio Costanzo3,4, Cataldo Patruno5, Valentina Maria Busà6, Andrea Chiricozzi7,8, Giampiero Girolomoni9. 1. Dermatology, IRCCS S. Orsola-Malpighi Polyclinic, Bologna, Italy. 2. Department of Specialistic, Diagnostic and Experimental Medicine (DIMES), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. 3. Dermatology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Italy. 4. Dermatology Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Italy. 5. Dermatology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy. 6. Medical Department, Inflammation and Immunology, Pfizer, Italy. 7. Dermatology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy. 8. Dermatology, Department of Clinical and Translational Medicine, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy. 9. Department of Medicine, Section of Dermatology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Atopic dermatitis (AD) has substantial negative impact on patients' quality of life. Although considerable advances have been made in understanding the pathogenesis and its treatment, there is still limited transfer of this knowledge into daily management. Aiming to identify unmet needs in clinical management of patients with AD, we used a Delphi consensus process. METHODS: A set of statements regarding diagnosis, management, prognosis, and treatment was identified by five experts (Steering Committee). Then, the Steering Committee and a second group of four clinicians were involved in a Delphi process. Lastly, agreement was assessed in a larger panel of Italian clinicians. RESULTS: Overall, 37 clinicians participated to the process. 17 statements reached strong agreement and 2 reached weak agreement. CONCLUSIONS: In general, the statements reflected the need for accurate and effective diagnostic criteria to support clinical experience, especially in the atypical forms of AD. Moreover, prognostic criteria are needed to predict the duration of adult-onset AD. The identification of biomarkers was considered to be useful for clinical management of AD at all stages of disease. Lastly, greater emphasis should be placed on patient education and development of effective tools that can aid informing patients about their disease and its treatment.
INTRODUCTION: Atopic dermatitis (AD) has substantial negative impact on patients' quality of life. Although considerable advances have been made in understanding the pathogenesis and its treatment, there is still limited transfer of this knowledge into daily management. Aiming to identify unmet needs in clinical management of patients with AD, we used a Delphi consensus process. METHODS: A set of statements regarding diagnosis, management, prognosis, and treatment was identified by five experts (Steering Committee). Then, the Steering Committee and a second group of four clinicians were involved in a Delphi process. Lastly, agreement was assessed in a larger panel of Italian clinicians. RESULTS: Overall, 37 clinicians participated to the process. 17 statements reached strong agreement and 2 reached weak agreement. CONCLUSIONS: In general, the statements reflected the need for accurate and effective diagnostic criteria to support clinical experience, especially in the atypical forms of AD. Moreover, prognostic criteria are needed to predict the duration of adult-onset AD. The identification of biomarkers was considered to be useful for clinical management of AD at all stages of disease. Lastly, greater emphasis should be placed on patient education and development of effective tools that can aid informing patients about their disease and its treatment.