Background: Data illustrating the impact of atopic dermatitis (AD) on lives of adults with AD in South Korea are limited. Objective: To assess the AD disease severity and its impact on quality of life (QoL) in patients with AD from South Korea. Methods: Patients with AD utilizing the specialist dermatology services of major hospitals in South Korea were assessed for disease severity using Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) score, for QoL using Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) (for QoL), and for comorbidities and treatment experience via retrospective review of 12-month medical records. Clinical and sociodemographic characteristics were also measured. Results: Of the 1,163 patients, 695 (59.8%) were men (mean age [years]±standard deviation: 31.6±12.1). Overall, 52.9% (n=615) patients had moderate-to-severe disease (EASI>7).The QoL of 72.3% (n=840) patients was affected moderately-to-severely (DLQI score: 6~30).Systemic immunosuppressants were used ≥1 over past 12 months in 51.9% (n=603) patients, and the most commonly used were cyclosporines (45.7%, n=531) and systemic corticosteroids (40.5%, n=471). Approximately, 10.8% (n=126) patients consulted or received treatment for AD-related eye problem. Of these, 40% (n=50) patients reported poor, very poor, or completely blind status; approximately, 16.7% patients (n=192) reported having depression or anxiety; and 35.5% (n=410) reported suicidal ideation or suicidal attempt. Conclusion A large proportion of patients had moderate-to-severe AD, a compromised QoL, and ocular or mental health comorbidities, indicating a high disease burden despite systemic treatment. These findings highlight the importance of a holistic approach for the evaluation and treatment of patients with AD.

Background: In 2015, the Korean Atopic Dermatitis Association (KADA) working group published consensus guidelines for treating atopic dermatitis (AD). Objective: We aimed to provide updated consensus recommendations for systemic treatment of AD in South Korea based on recent evidence and experience. Methods: We compiled a database of references from relevant systematic reviews and guidelines on the systemic management of AD. Evidence for each statement was graded and classified based on thestrength of the recommendation. Forty-two council members from the KADA participated in three rounds of voting to establish a consensus on expert recommendations. Results: We do not recommend long-term treatment with systemic steroids forpatients with moderate-to-severe AD due to the risk of adverse effects. We recommend treatment with cyclosporine or dupilumab and selective treatment with methotrexate or azathioprine for patients with moderate-to-severe AD. We suggest treatment with antihistamines as an option for alleviating clinical symptoms of AD. We recommend selective treatment with narrowband ultraviolet B for patients with chronic moderate-to-severe AD. We do not recommend treatment with oral antibiotics for patients with moderate-to-severe AD but who have no signs of infection. We did not reach a consensus on recommendations for treatment with allergen-specific immunotherapy, probiotics, evening primrose oil, orvitamin D for patients with moderate-to-severe AD. We also recommend educational interventions and counselling for patients with AD and caregivers to improve the treatment success rate. Conclusion We look forward to implementing a new and updated consensus of systemic therapy in controlling patients with moderate-to-severe AD.

PURPOSE: To evaluate clinical outcomes of idiopathic epiretinal membrane removal in patients ≥ 80 years of age.METHODS: A retrospective review of medical records was performed with 56 patients who underwent vitrectomy and removal of idiopathic epiretinal membrane. In the ≥ 80 years of age group (n = 28), the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT) before surgery were compared with those at the final follow-up. The amount of change in the BCVA after surgery was also compared between the ≥ 80 years of age group and the < 80 years of age group (n = 28).RESULTS: In the ≥ 80 years of age group, the mean follow-up period was 19.1 ± 17.0 months. Before surgery, 11 eyes were pseudophakic and 17 eyes were phakic. Combined cataract surgery was performed with epiretinal membrane removal in all 17 phakic eyes. The mean logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution BCVA was 0.75 ± 0.30 before surgery, which improved to 0.50 ± 0.30 at the final follow-up (p < 0.001). The CMT was 458.0 ± 79.7 µm before surgery, which decreased to 367.2 ± 83.4 µm at the final follow-up (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the amount of change in the BCVA after the surgery between the ≥ 80 years of age group and the < 80 years of age group (p = 0.547).CONCLUSIONS: In patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane who were ≥ 80 years of age, the visual acuity was improved or maintained, and was accompanied with anatomical improvement after epiretinal membrane removal with or without cataract surgery. These results suggest the usefulness of epiretinal membrane removal in older patients.
Cataract ; Epiretinal Membrane ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy

BACKGROUND: Systemic immunomodulatory treatment is actively recommended in the treatment for moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD) patients. However, consensus criteria for the classification of AD severity or treatment refractoriness have not been established yet. OBJECTIVE: To establish consensus criteria on the definition of severity classification and treatment refractoriness of AD to provide a basis for proper treatment strategy. METHODS: The Korean Atopic Dermatitis Association (KADA) comprised a task force team to establish a definition of moderate to severe AD. A draft of definition of moderate to severe AD was made on the basis of evidence. The recommendation was confirmed by KADA members through a web-based survey. RESULTS: KADA approved that AD with 16≤eczema area and severity index (EASI)<23 should be basically defined as moderate AD whereas AD with EASI score ≥23 should be considered as severe AD. They agreed that it would be reasonable to raise the severity level if patient's daytime or nighttime pruritus numerical rating scale is equal to or higher than 7 (≥7) or dermatology life quality index score exceeds 10. AD patients who do not reach EASI 50 after appropriate treatment for three months should be considered as a non-responder. Patients with recurrence (EASI ≥16) within three months after cessation of treatment should be considered as a recurrent AD. CONCLUSION: KADA built a consensus of definition of moderate and severe AD and treatment-refractoriness. These guidelines are expected to help physicians determine proper treatment options in need.
Advisory Committees ; Classification ; Consensus ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Dermatology ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Pruritus ; Quality of Life ; Recurrence ; Treatment Failure ; Withholding Treatment

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common, chronic, relapsing, inflammatory skin disease that affects both children and adults. AD is the cause of considerable morbidity including severe pruritus and impaired quality of life. Treatments for active disease include avoidance of triggering factors, barrier repair, topical medications including topical corticosteroids (TCs) and topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCIs), phototherapy, antibacterial agents, and systemic immunosuppressants including cyclosporine. Until recently, the only Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved systemic treatment options for patients with moderate-to-severe AD were steroids and cyclosporine. Systemic steroids are not recommended by current guidelines and are commonly associated with disease rebound. Instead, clinicians choose from several off-label immunosuppressants. In 2018, the Korean FDA approved dupilumab for adults with moderate-to-severe AD whose disease is not adequately controlled with topical therapies. The implementation of treatment guidelines for AD is challenging. Herein, we review the several treatment modalities for AD and recommend a treatment algorithm.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Adult ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Calcineurin Inhibitors ; Child ; Cyclosporine ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Phototherapy ; Pruritus ; Quality of Life ; Skin Diseases ; Steroids ; United States Food and Drug Administration

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical course of patients who had completed 14 ranibizumab or aflibercept monocular treatments. METHODS: Retrospective medical record analysis was performed to 24 patients who were diagnosed with monocular neovascular age-related macular degeneration and had completed 14 ranibizumab or aflibercept monocular injections, allowed by the Korean National Health Care system. Time to completion was measured along with the percentage and timing of medication switch. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was measured at the time of diagnosis, after 3-loading injections, and the time of completion. Additionally, we searched for any other factors that had influenced the time to completion. RESULTS: The average time to completion of 14 injections was 32.3 ± 6.2 months (21–48 months). The switching was performed in 17 eyes (70.8%), and it was done after 9.4 ± 2.1 injections (4–14 injections) with prior medication. After 14 injections, the BCVA improved in 6 eyes (25.0%), unchanged in 8 eyes (33.3%), and worsened in 10 eyes (41.7%). Complete resolution of intraretinal fluid and subretinal fluid after 3 loading injections were observed in 20 eyes, and it was significantly related to time to the first recurrence and time to the completion of 14 injections (p = 0.007, r = 0.583). CONCLUSIONS: The average time to completion of 14 injections was 32.3 months, and switching of medication was performed in 70.8%. Longer time to the first recurrence was related to longer completion time. This study will provide useful facts when informing the patients their future treatment plans under the Korean Health Care system.
Choroidal Neovascularization ; Delivery of Health Care ; Diagnosis ; Endothelial Growth Factors* ; Humans ; Macular Degeneration* ; Medical Records ; Ranibizumab ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Subretinal Fluid ; Visual Acuity

BACKGROUND: Physicians can play a crucial role in the knowledge that patients have about a disease and its prognosis. Recently, patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) are increasingly turning from western medicine to oriental herbal medicine. However, their awareness of AD and attitude toward Western medicine and oriental herbal medicine clinics are scarcely reported. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the understanding of AD among patients and their parents and to identify their awareness of and attitude toward Western medicine and oriental herbal medicine as treatments for AD. METHODS: An online questionnaire was administered to 500 consenting respondents with AD (age, 16~49 years) and parents of children with AD (age, 0~15 years). RESULTS: The mean percentage of correct answers to questions about AD was 52.54%. A parental history of AD was independently associated with higher respondent’s knowledge about the disease and its treatment. The satisfaction with treatment outcomes was highest among patients treated at private clinic of dermatology specialists (49.4%), while lowest among those treated at oriental herbal medicine clinics (38.4%). Many participants were aware that oriental herbal medicine requires a longer treatment period for a cure and does not burden the skin, while steroid phobia was seen in most of participants. CONCLUSION: Physicians need to educate AD patients and their parents about the disease and its treatment. Misconceptions for Western medicine and oriental herbal medicine among AD patients and parents should be corrected to improve their prognosis.
Adult* ; Child ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Dermatology ; Herbal Medicine ; Humans ; Parents* ; Phobic Disorders ; Prognosis ; Skin ; Specialization ; Surveys and Questionnaires

No abstract available.
Congenital Abnormalities* ; Rhinoplasty*