Managing Adult Patients With Atopic Dermatitis

During a session at the 2017 American Academy of Dermatology Annual Summer Meeting, Jonathan I Silverberg, MD, PhD, MPH, discussed how atopic dermatitis impacts adult patients and the latest treatment options for effective eczema management.

Dr Silverberg, an assistant professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, described the various presentations of atopic dermatitis in adults. He emphasized that there are key differences between how atopic dermatitis presents in children vs adults. He explained that atopic dermatitis has a significant impact on adult patients.

“Adult eczema patients may have dealt with their symptoms for their entire lives, which can be draining, or they may experience symptoms for the first time as adults, which can be a difficult adjustment,” Dr Silverberg said in a press release. “Either way, this condition can take a real toll on them.”

Dr Silverberg explained that while the prevalence of atopic dermatitis in adults is about half that of what it is in children, prevalence may be increasing among adults—resulting in an increase in overall disease prevalence.

The disease—characterized by dry, red patches of skin with intense itchiness—can have a significant impact on adults in a payer’s health population. The disease can also result in comorbidities such as mental health issues. 

 “People who aren’t familiar with the disease might say ‘it’s just eczema,’” Dr Silverberg said. “But for many patients, it’s not ‘just eczema.’ It can be debilitating.”

He explained that atopic dermatitis treatment regimens include moisturizers, topical steroids, phototherapy, or systemic medications. Additionally, the FDA has recently approved two new drug treatments for atopic dermatitis: Dupixent (dupilumab; Sanofi/Regernon), an injectable drug for moderate to severe disease, and Eucrisa (crisaborole; Pfizer), an anti-inflammatory topical ointment for mild to moderate disease.

“This is an exciting time that offers a lot of hope and promise for people with eczema, both children and adults,” Dr Silverberg said. “If you’re struggling with this disease, there are treatment options out there for you.”—David Costill