Atopic dermatitis, a common chronic and pruritic inflammatory skin disorder, can create significant disruptions in sleep and quality of life. Atopic dermatitis is especially common in infants and children; therefore, safe and natural therapeutic options have considerable appeal. Over the past several decades, there has been an increase in the prevalence of atopic dermatitis in industrialized nations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAcne vulgaris is a common inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous follicles that affects patients of all ages, from neonates to adults. We have compared and contrasted the clinical presentation of acne in neonates, infants, children, teenagers, and young adults and review the scenarios in which further systemic endocrine or hormonal tests are indicated. We also discuss age-dependent treatment considerations, including appropriate oral antimicrobial regimens and the proper dosing of isotretinoin in young children versus teenagers and adults.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOver 200,000 children have been adopted into United States (US) families from abroad since the year 2000. Health care providers who care for children adopted internationally should be aware of the spectrum of illnesses seen in this population, and should be prepared to encounter potentially unusual situations. An appreciation for the unique pre-adoption exposures and vulnerabilities inherent in international adoption is critical for proper diagnosis and treatment of this heterogeneous group of children.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAtopic dermatitis, a chronic disease with no cure, currently affects almost one-fifth of the population of industrialized nations. Treatment can be challenging for physicians and patients alike. Children are commonly affected, making it even more difficult to find safe therapeutic options, especially in severe disease.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAtopic dermatitis (AD) increases health care utilization, affects patient quality of life, places a burden on caregivers, decreases patient/parent productivity, and adds to health care costs. Few studies have examined the effect of specific treatment modalities across a variety of AD-related outcomes. This prospective, multicenter, open-label longitudinal study of adult and pediatric patients with moderate to severe AD was conducted to evaluate the effect of a specific therapeutic intervention on AD-related outcomes over a period of 6 months.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAtopic dermatitis is a common, chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin disease frequently affecting infants and children. The worldwide prevalence of atopic dermatitis is estimated to be 5--20% of the paediatric population. First-line therapy has generally consisted of dry skin care, avoidance of triggers, application of topical corticosteroids, and administration of antihistamines and oral antibacterials.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe incidence of malignant melanoma is rising concomitantly with dramatic changes in our healthcare system. Primary care physicians (PCPs) are responsible for an increasing number of skin-related healthcare visits. Therefore, PCPs must be on the forefront of early detection of suspicious pigmented lesions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The use of expert opinion is widespread in economic studies of healthcare utilisation; however, few studies have attempted to assess the validity of assumptions derived from such sources.
Objective: To examine the use of such expert opinion in determining comorbidities associated with atopic dermatitis/eczema (AD/E), which were assessed as part of a recent third-party payer cost-of-illness study.
Design: To identify the disease-related comorbidities that would represent costs associated with AD/E, physicians on an expert panel were asked individually and then collectively to group all International Classification of Diseases, 9(th) Edition-Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) diagnosis codes as 'most likely', 'possibly' or 'definitely not' related to the costs of identifying and treating patients with AD/E.
Background: Few cost-effectiveness analyses have been conducted on topical therapies for atopic dermatitis.
Objective: We sought to compare cost-effectiveness of high-potency topical corticosteroids (HPTCs) and tacrolimus ointment for the treatment of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis for patients who are not responsive to or not well controlled with mid-potency topical corticosteroids.
Methods: A Markov model represented the cyclic nature of atopic dermatitis.
Background: Atopic dermatitis/eczema (AD/E) is a common disease. Few studies have attempted to quantify the cost to third-party payers.
Objective: Our purpose was to identify the annual cost of medical services and prescription drugs for the treatment of AD/E to private insurance and Medicaid payers in the United States.
Henoch-Schönlein purpura is a disease of unknown etiology. it is predominantly seen in children, although adults are also affected, and comprises a rash, arthritis, abdominal pain, and renal dysfunction. there is no effective treatment, although the syndrome is self-limiting and generally subsides without sequelae.
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