| Autor: |
Patruno C; Section of Dermatology, Department of Health Sciences, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy - cataldopatruno@libero.it., Amerio P; Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, Clinic of Dermatology, G. D'Annunzio Chieti-Pescara University, Chieti, Italy., Chiricozzi A; Institute of Dermatology, A. Gemelli University Polyclinic, IRCCS and Foundation, Sacred Heart Catholic University, Rome, Italy., Costanzo A; Department of Dermatology, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy., Cristaudo A; Department of Dermatology, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, IRCCS, Rome, Italy., Cusano F; Unit of Dermatology, G. Rummo Hospital, Benevento, Italy., Foti C; Section of Dermatology, Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy., Girolomoni G; Section of Dermatology and Venereology, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy., Guarneri F; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine-Dermatology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy., Naldi L; Department of Dermatology, San Bortolo Hospital, Vicenza, Italy., Offidani A; Unit of Dermatology, Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Polytechnic Marche University, Ancona, Italy., Pigatto P; Unit of Dermatology, Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, Galeazzi Orthopedic Institute IRCCS, University of Milan, Milan, Italy., Prignano F; Unit of Dermatology, Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy., Stingeni L; Section of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy., Calzavara-Pinton P; Department of Dermatology, ASST-Spedali Civili, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy. |
| Abstrakt: |
Atopic dermatitis (AD) places significant burden not only on quality of life, but is also associated with considerable costs to healthcare systems. Diagnosis of AD may be challenging when it starts in adolescence or adulthood, and is further complicated as its manifestations are different from those generally seen in children. Accordingly, better definition of diagnostic criteria for adult onset AD is needed to avoid misdiagnosis and undertreatment in adult patients. To provide practical guidance for clinicians to reliably diagnose AD in adult patients, representatives from three Italian dermatology scientific societies (Italian Society of Dermatology and Venereology [SIDeMaST], Italian Association of Hospital Dermatologists [ADOI], Italian Society of Allergological, Occupational and Environmental Dermatology [SIDAPA]) carried out a joint consensus meeting to develop useful indications for improving diagnosis of moderate to severe AD in adult patients in routine clinical practice. The most representative criteria for morphological criteria, localization, clinical history, and differential diagnosis were identified by the experts. The most frequent clinical presentations are those on the flexural areas, hands, face/neck, and trunk, with itch and eczema as key manifestations. The diagnostic path defined herein can form a sort of "check list" for physicians to adopt when evaluating patients with suspected AD, which can help in refining a diagnosis and refer the patient for specialist dermatological care. It is hoped that the practical guidance developed by the consensus group will help to improve outcomes, lower overall costs of care, and ameliorate the patient's quality of life, even though validation in a large cohort of patients is still needed. |
