Synergistic Effect of H1-Antihistamines on Topical Corticosteroids for Pruritus in Atopic Dermatitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

What are the highest yielding search strategy terms for systematic reviews in atopic dermatitis? A systematic review

The impact of search strategies on systematic reviews (SR) of atopic dermatitis (AD) is unknown. The purpose of this review was to evaluate search strategies used in SR of AD and their impact on the frequency of manuscripts identified. MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched for SR related to AD. Simulations were performed by running combinations of search terms in MEDLINE and EMBASE. Overall, 250 SR met inclusion criteria, of which 225 specified search strategies. SR using 5-6 terms (20.0% to 12.1%) or ≥ 7 (40.0% to 18.8%) terms decreased, whereas SR using 3-4 terms numerically increased (18.8% to 30.2%) and 1-2 terms remained similar (37.5% to 38.9%) from 1999-2009 to 2015-2019. The most commonly searched terms were "atopic dermatitis" (n = 166), followed by "eczema" (n = 156), "dermatitis atopic'" (n = 81), "atopic eczema" (n = 74), "neurodermatitis" (n = 59), "Besniers prurigo" (n = 29), "infantile eczema" (n = 27), and "childhood eczema" (n = 19). Simulations revealed that "eczema" and "atopic dermatitis" yielded the most hits. The number of search terms that maximized hits in MEDLINE and EMBASE was 5 and 4, respectively. Search strategies for AD were heterogeneous, with high proportions of search strategies providing few search hits. Future studies should use standardized and optimized search terms.

What's new in atopic eczema? An analysis of systematic reviews published in 2019. Part 2: treatment

This review forms part of a series of annual evidence updates on atopic eczema (AE), and provides a summary of key findings from systematic reviews (SRs) published or indexed in 2019 related to AE treatment. Several SRs assessed the efficacy of topical corticosteroids (TCS), topical calcineurin inhibitors, topical phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors and topical Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway inhibitors. However, there is a lack of good-quality trials comparing topical treatment agents with TCS, which remain the standard of care for patients with AE. Most of the included trials lack meaningful comparisons as they used vehicle as a comparator. There is also lack of harmonization of outcome measures for AE across studies. Large, well-designed RCTs are needed to further determine whether any specific emollients offer superior benefit. There is evidence highlighting limited benefit of oral H1 antihistamines as 'add-on' therapy to topical treatment of eczema. Mycophenolate mofetil may have a role in patients with refractory AE. Among biologic therapies, most of the efficacy data relate to dupilumab. Furthermore, there is growing evidence for the efficacy and safety of systemic JAK/STAT pathway inhibitors, but the existing data are of low quality.

How Annals of Dermatology Has Improved the Scientific Quality and Ethical Standards of its Articles in the Two-Year Period since October 2018

Annals of Dermatology has not been deposited in PubMed Central (PMC) since October 2018 due to inadequate scientific quality, including the absence of informed consent in three case reports with patients' photos. This study examined the readiness of Annals of Dermatology to be deposited in PMC again by analyzing the 13 issues published from October 2018 to August 2020. The journal's scientific quality and ethical standards were assessed, and adherence to these standards was documented. In total, 259 articles were analyzed for ethical standards, including institutional review board (IRB) approval, an informed consent statement, and disclosure of conflicts of interest. Scientific quality was also checked for each article. Of the 129 original articles or brief reports presenting research on human subjects or human-derived materials, 111 studies received IRB approval and/or obtained informed consent. The other seven studies were data analyses or studies of purchased cultured cells. One study that used a post-circumcision foreskin sample contained no statement describing permission from the patient's family, but the researchers were found to have obtained informed consent. In all 152 case presentations, the authors obtained informed consent. All seven animal experiments received Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee approval. One review article did not disclose conflicts of interest, but this was an editorial error. Two systematic reviews adopted the PRISMA guidelines. In conclusion, the present publication policies, scientific quality, and ethical standards of the journal are top-tier internationally. Annals of Dermatology may be ready to apply to PMC again.