Conventional therapy for atopic dermatitis

A Comprehensive Review of Therapeutic Approaches Available for the Treatment of Dermatitis

BACKGROUND

Dermatitis or eczema is a prevalent skin disorder worldwide and is also very common as a pediatric inflammatory skin disorder. Its succession gets worse with the multiple comorbidities which exhibit mechanisms that are poorly understood. Its management further becomes a challenge due to the limited effective treatment options available. However, the Novel Drug Delivery Systems (NDDS) along with new targeting strategies can easily bypass the issues associated with dermatitis management. If we compare the active constituents against phytoconstituents effective against dermatitis then phytoconstituents can be perceived to be more safe and gentle.

OBJECTIVE

Administration of NDDS of plant extract or actives displays improved absorption behavior, which helps them to permeate through lipid-rich biological membrane leading to increased bioavailability. The newer efficient discoveries related to eczema can face various exploitations. This can be intervened by the subjection of patent rights, which not only safeguard the novel works of individual(s) but also give them the opportunity to share details of their inventions with people globally.

CONCLUSION

The present review focuses on the available research about the use of nanoformulations in the topical delivery. It further elaborates the use of different animal models as the basis to characterize the different features of dermatitis. The review also highlights the recent nanoformulations which have the ability to amplify the delivery of active agents through their incorporation in transfersomes, ethosomes, niosomes or phytosomes, etc.

Wet Wrap Therapy in Moderate to Severe Atopic Dermatitis

National and international guidelines address stepwise atopic dermatitis (AD) management. Wet wrap therapy (WWT) is important as an acute therapeutic intervention for treatment of moderate to severe AD. Using clothing instead of bandages makes this intervention simpler, less time intensive, and less expensive. Education of patients and caregivers is critical to success; methodology must be standardized. Future studies must carefully describe all procedure components. Incorporation of validated outcomes tools would help with interpretation. WWT should be considered as a potential treatment option ahead of systemic immunosuppressive therapies for patients failing conventional therapy.

Wet wrap therapy in children with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis in a multidisciplinary treatment program

BACKGROUND

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin disease of children and is a global public health problem. National and international AD guidelines address AD care in a stepwise fashion. Wet wrap therapy (WWT) is a therapeutic intervention for moderate-to-severe AD.

OBJECTIVE

This cohort study evaluated the effectiveness of WWT as part of a multidisciplinary AD treatment program to improve disease severity. Patients treated in this unique outpatient program had moderate-to-severe AD and had multiple therapies that failed.

METHODS

An observational cohort study was completed. The primary outcome was improvement in AD severity as measured by SCORAD (Scoring Atopic Dermatitis). Demographics; clinical management of AD, including use of antibiotics and systemic treatments; and WWT methodology were comprehensively described.

RESULTS

Seventy-two children with a mean ± SD age of 4.6 ± 3.12 years were included. By using a paired t test, the SCORAD at admission and at discharge showed significant differences in mean ± SD values, of 49.68 ± 17.72 versus 14.83 ± 7.45, respectively (t, 18.93; df, 71; P < .001). None of these patients required systemic immunosuppressive therapy during the treatment program. By using a previously published parent-administered outcomes tool, patients were shown to maintain clinical improvement of their AD 1 month after discharge.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, this study is the largest to date of WWT for pediatric patients with moderate-to-severe AD by using a validated outcomes tool. None of the patients required systemic immunosuppressive therapy, and only 31% were treated with an oral antibiotic. This study demonstrated the benefit of incorporating WWT as an acute intervention in a supervised multidisciplinary AD treatment program with lasting benefit 1 month after discontinuing this intervention.

The role of the nurse educator in managing atopic dermatitis

Nursing is making a key contribution to the development and evaluation of atopic dermatitis (AD) education. Educational interventions have long been recommended and used as a critical adjunct at all levels of therapy for patients with AD to enhance therapy effectiveness. These interventions may be directed toward adult patients or the parent/caregiver or child with eczema. Education should be individualized and includes teaching about the chronic or relapsing nature of AD, exacerbating factors, and therapeutic options with benefits, risks, and realistic expectations. This important educational facet of care management is becoming increasingly difficult to accomplish in routine care visits and seems to be equally difficult to measure and evaluate. A limited number of studies to date suggest effectiveness of educational approaches to improve the management of AD. We recommend that an international priority be given to assessing the effects of patient and parental education by nurses and other care providers in AD management using research studies designed to address the common weaknesses of existing randomized studies and the relative benefits of different strategies.

Patient-reported outcomes from a multicenter, randomized, vehicle-controlled clinical study of MAS063DP (Atopiclair) in the management of mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis in adults

BACKGROUND

MAS063DP (Atopiclair) is a topical cream approved for symptomatic relief in the treatment of atopic and contact dermatitis.

METHODS

This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled study in adults with mild-moderate atopic dermatitis. Patients were given MAS063DP or vehicle (2:1) three times per day to areas affected by atopic dermatitis for up to 50 days. A patient global assessment change from baseline was determined at days 8, 22, 36, and 50. Patient total body pruritus (visual analog scale) and patient opinion on treatment acceptability were also assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 218 patients (active: n = 145, vehicle: n = 73) were enrolled. At Day 22, 77% of patients on MAS063DP had a patient global assessment of good improvement or better versus 21% on vehicle (p<0.0001, chi-squared test). Similarly, more patients had improvement in itch over their total body on MAS063DP than on vehicle (p<0.0001).

CONCLUSION

MAS063DP treatment results in patient-perceived improvements in mild-moderate atopic dermatitis.

A multidisciplinary approach to evaluation and treatment of atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a common, complex disease that frequently follows a chronic, relapsing course. The disease can impact the quality of life (QOL) of patients and families to a significant degree. Patients and caregivers may focus on unproven triggers at the expense of proper skin care. A multidisciplinary approach is needed to comprehensively evaluate triggers and response to treatment, address confounding factors including sleep disruption, and educate patients and caregivers.

Diagnosis and treatment of atopic dermatitis in children and adults: European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology/American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology/PRACTALL Consensus Report

There are remarkable differences in the diagnostic and therapeutic management of atopic dermatitis practiced by dermatologists and pediatricians in different countries. Therefore, the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology nominated expert teams who were given the task of finding a consensus to serve as a guideline for clinical practice in Europe as well as in North America. The consensus report is part of the PRACTALL initiative, which is endorsed by both academies.

Efficacy and economics of topical calcineurin inhibitors for the treatment of atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin disease that frequently affects infants and children. The worldwide prevalence of atopic dermatitis is estimated to be 5-20% of the pediatric population. Studies have shown that atopic dermatitis is associated with considerable economic costs and decreased quality of life. There is no proven curative therapy at present for atopic dermatitis; first-line therapy has generally consisted of dry skin care, avoidance of triggers, application of topical corticosteroids, and administration of histamine H1 receptor antagonists (antihistamines) and oral antibacterials as appropriate. Topical corticosteroids, while effective in many patients, carry the concern of local and systemic adverse effects. As a result, physicians and patients are reluctant to utilize stronger topical corticosteroids in certain areas of the body and for prolonged periods of time. The purpose of this article is to review the efficacy and economics of topical calcineurin inhibitors in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. This new class of agents (specifically tacrolimus ointment and pimecrolimus cream) represents an exciting advance in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. Clinical data show that topical calcineurin inhibitors are effective and do not cause the adverse effects associated with topical corticosteroids. Several studies have provided evidence that topical calcineurin inhibitors positively affect the quality of life of patients and their caregivers. Compared with branded topical corticosteroids and previous standards of care, topical calcineurin inhibitors appear to be a cost-effective treatment option. Drawing comparisons between tacrolimus and pimecrolimus is difficult because definitive head-to-head comparative studies involving these drugs have not been conducted.

Atopic dermatitis: beyond the itch that rashes

The prevalence of atopic dermatitis is increasing, and more than 50% of children with atopic dermatitis go on to develop asthma and allergies. A better understanding of the underlying immune abnormalities of this complex chronic relapsing skin disease is needed. Although the optimal treatment approach remains to be defined, several recent studies suggest a rationale for using topical calcineurin inhibitors as early intervention and adding topical corticosteroids as rescue therapy if needed.

Topical treatment of atopic dermatitis

Topical therapy of atopic dermatitis should incorporate an understanding of the underlying immune abnormalities of this complex chronic skin disease. Avoidance of irritants and proven allergens, skin hydration, and use of emollients and anti-inflammatory therapy help maintain a normal skin barrier. Topical calcineurin inhibitors have been added to the topical treatment armamentarium. Although the optimal treatment approach remains to be defined, several studies suggest the use of topical calcineurin inhibitors as early intervention therapy and topical corticosteroids as rescue therapy.