Economic Burden and Quality of Life of Patients With Moderate to Severe Atopic Dermatitis in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Helsinki, Finland: A Survey-Based Study.

We investigated medical costs and quality of life (QOL) in 167 patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD) at a tertiary health care hospital in Helsinki, Finland. In the studied cohort, AD caused a substantial economic burden to the patients and health care system. Most patients with AD in Finland can achieve disease control with topical treatments, but it is important to efficiently manage the patients who require additional supportive measures and specialist consultations, which may be challenging in the primary health care system due to the relapsing and remitting nature of the disease.

Relevance of Coding Variation in And in Finnish Pediatric Patients with Early-Onset Moderate-To-Severe Atopic Dermatitis.

Early-onset, persistent atopic dermatitis (AD) is proposed as a distinct subgroup that may have specific genotypic features. gene loss-of-function variants are the best known genetic factors contributing to epidermal barrier impairment and eczema severity. In a cohort of 140 Finnish children with early-onset moderate-to-severe AD, we investigated the effect of coding variation in and 13 other genes with epidermal barrier or immune function through the use of targeted amplicon sequencing and genotyping.

A Comparison of Topical Corticosteroids and Topical Calcineurin Inhibitors for the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis.

Topical corticosteroids (TCS) are a mainstay of treatment for atopic dermatitis (AD). There are shared physician and patient concerns that TCS use can result in skin atrophy and systemic absorption. The clinical use of topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCI) for AD is relatively limited despite evidence that TCI are safe and effective.

Topical tacrolimus versus corticosteroids in childhood moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis and the impact on airway inflammation: a long-term randomized open-label study.

Background: Childhood atopic dermatitis (AD) is often followed by other atopic comorbidities such as asthma.

Aim: To compare the effectiveness of topical tacrolimus (TAC) and topical corticosteroids (TCSs) and their impact on airway inflammation and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in patients with paediatric AD.

Methods: This was a 3-year randomized open-label comparative follow-up study of 152 1-3-year-old children with moderate-to-severe AD (trial registration: EudraCT2012-002412-95).

Allergic conjunctivitis: a risk factor for recurrent herpes simplex virus infections in patients with atopic dermatitis.

Background: Patients with atopic dermatitis have an increased risk of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections.

Objectives: We carried out a retrospective, cross-sectional study to investigate the association of disease severity, concomitant atopic diseases and filaggrin mutations with the risk of cutaneous HSV infections in 463 patients with atopic dermatitis.

Materials & Methods: The correlation between predisposing factors and HSV infections was analysed using chi-square and Mann Whitney U-tests, and the relationship was further studied with binomial logistic regression to ascertain odds ratios.

Keratosis pilaris and filaggrin loss-of-function mutations in patients with atopic dermatitis - Results of a Finnish cross-sectional study.

Keratosis pilaris (KP) associates with epidermal barrier defects in atopic dermatitis (AD) but its role in disease severity and concomitant atopic diseases seems to vary between populations. We performed a cross-sectional observational study with 502 randomly selected AD patients of a Finnish tertiary health care center. At a single clinical examination, disease severity (Rajka Langeland severity score and EASI), clinical signs and patient history were evaluated and total IgE levels and frequent filaggrin (FLG) loss-of-function mutations were investigated.

Effective treatment of atopic dermatitis in small children significantly improves the quality of life of patients and their families.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) has a severe impact on quality of life (QoL).

Objectives: To analyze the impact of AD on QoL of small children with moderate-to-severe AD in a tertiary health care hospital in Helsinki, Finland.

Materials & Methods: Based on interim analysis of this longitudinal follow-up study, we investigated treatment response (topical corticosteroids vs.

Atopic dermatitis in adults: a population-based study in Finland.

Background: The prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) has increased, but studies in adult or elderly populations are sparse.

Methods: We investigated 12-month and lifetime prevalences of AD in the Finnish adult population ≥30 years of age and analyzed living environment factors, socioeconomic factors, lifestyle-related factors, and serum vitamin D levels for their associations with AD in a national health examination survey.

Results: The lifetime prevalence was 21.

Management of Ocular Manifestations of Atopic Dermatitis: A Consensus Meeting Using a Modified Delphi Process.

There is a need for unified guidance on the management of ocular manifestations of atopic dermatitis and ocular manifestations associated with dupilumab in the Nordic region (Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden). This initiative gathered Nordic dermatologists and ophthalmologists to identify consensus in this area using a modified Delphi process. The initiative was led by a Nordic expert panel who developed a questionnaire that was circulated to a wider group.

Clinical Management of Atopic Dermatitis in Adults: Mapping of Expert Opinion in 4 Nordic Countries using a Modified Delphi Process.

Similarities and differences in the everyday clinical management of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in Nordic countries are unknown. Using a modified Delphi approach, 15 dermatologists from Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden completed face-to-face and online questionnaires and participated in summary discussions to map expert opinion on the clinical management of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in these Nordic countries. Through discussions, 6 adult patient profiles, reflecting common disease presentations of atopic dermatitis, were identified.

Young children with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis can be treated safely and effectively with either topical tacrolimus or mild corticosteroids.

Aim: We collected evidence and safety data for topical tacrolimus in small children with atopic dermatitis (AD) and compared the usage with topical corticosteroid.

Methods: This was an interim analysis of 75 patients (55% female) at 1 year of an ongoing 3-year randomised open-label comparative follow-up study of topical tacrolimus vs corticosteroid treatment. One- to three-year-old children with moderate-to-severe eczema referred to the Skin and Allergy Hospital in Helsinki, Finland, were enrolled.

Dupilumab improves patient-reported symptoms of atopic dermatitis, symptoms of anxiety and depression, and health-related quality of life in moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: analysis of pooled data from the randomized trials SOLO 1 and SOLO 2.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) profoundly affects quality of life (QoL). Dupilumab significantly improves clinical outcomes, is well tolerated, and approved to treat inadequately controlled moderate-to-severe AD in adults; however, its effect on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) is not fully characterized. To evaluate the impact of dupilumab on patient-reported AD symptoms and QoL.

The Value of FLG Null Mutations in Predicting Treatment Response in Atopic Dermatitis: An Observational Study in Finnish Patients.

The contribution of filaggrin null mutations to predicting atopic dermatitis (AD) treatment response is not clear, nor have such mutations been studied in the Finnish population. This study tested the association of the 4 most prevalent European FLG null mutations, the 2 Finnish enriched FLG null mutations, the FLG 12-repeat allele, and 50 additional epidermal barrier gene variants, with risk of AD, disease severity, clinical features, risk of other atopic diseases, age of onset, and treatment response in 501 patients with AD and 1,710 controls. AD, early-onset AD, palmar hyperlinearity, and asthma showed significant associations with the combined FLG null genotype.

High serum total IgE predicts poor long-term outcome in atopic dermatitis.

Most patients with severe atopic dermatitis have elevated serum IgE levels, but there has been little research into IgE as a predictive biomarker in long-term disease outcome. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of IgE and other factors in patients with atopic dermatitis in a university clinic setting. There were 169 eligible patients (14-78 years) with a mean follow-up of 4.

An update on current pharmacotherapy options in atopic dermatitis.

Introduction: New knowledge on the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD) gives us new treatment options. This review emphasizes long-term treatment results.

Areas Covered: This study includes basic pathogenic factors in AD and presents present and future treatment options.

Long-term efficacy and tolerability of tacrolimus 0.03% ointment in infants:* a two-year open-label study.

Background: Tacrolimus ointment is effective for treatment of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in children aged ≥2 years (Br J Dermatol, 2004; 150: 554). Here, efficacy and tolerability of tacrolimus 0.03% ointment were evaluated in 50 infants aged <2 years at start of treatment.

A 10-year open follow-up of eczema and respiratory symptoms in patients with atopic dermatitis treated with topical tacrolimus for the first 4 years.

Objectives: To examine the 10-year outcome of affected body surface area (BSA), respiratory symptoms, and serum IgE in adult AD patients 6 years after a 4-year intervention with topical tacrolimus.

Methods: Patients who 10 years ago participated in a 4-year, open tacrolimus study (n = 65) were contacted for assessment of affected BSA, bronchial hyper-reactivity (BHR), respiratory symptoms, skin prick tests and serum IgE.

Results: Altogether, 50 (77%) patients attended the follow-up visit.

One-year treatment with 0.1% tacrolimus ointment versus a corticosteroid regimen in adults with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis: A randomized, double-blind, comparative trial.

A one-year, randomized, double-blind study was conducted in 80 patients with atopic dermatitis treated with tacrolimus ointment or a corticosteroid regimen (hydrocortisone acetate 1% ointment for head and neck, hydrocortisone butyrate 0.1% ointment for trunk and limbs) to compare efficacy and safety, and effects on Th2-reactivity. The study was completed by 36/40 patients in the tacrolimus group, and 31/40 patients in the corticosteroid group.

Long-term safety of tacrolimus ointment in atopic dermatitis.

Background: Tacrolimus ointment has shown efficacy as monotherapy in both short- and long-term studies in atopic dermatitis. Absorption of tacrolimus after topical application is dependent on the barrier function of the skin. Absorption through the intact epidermis is very low and eczematic skin a little higher.