From the Team

15 November 2019

EADV 2019: Dupilumab plus topical corticosteroids for atopic dermatitis

New efficacy and safety data for atopic dermatitis (AD) treatments was recently presented at the 28th Annual Congress of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) 2019 in Madrid, Spain. Topical corticosteroids are the most common AD treatment, while dupilumab is now approved for use in patients aged 12 years and older with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis under certain conditions. At the EADV Congress, researchers reported on an investigation of rescue therapy usage in patients with AD being treated with dupilumab and topical corticosteroids in the LIBERTY AD CHRONOS and LIBERTY AD CAFÉ phase 3 trials. Here we present their findings. Read more

1 November 2019

Prescribing practices for adult atopic dermatitis in Europe: an update from EADV 2019

Researchers recently gathered in Madrid, Spain to share their work at the 28th Annual Congress of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV), held 9–13 October. While the EADV Congress included research from several studies of atopic dermatitis (AD) treatment efficacy and safety, information on AD therapy utilisation by dermatologists is limited. The European TREatment of Atopic eczema Taskforce (TREAT) Survey, presented at EADV 2019, described for the first time the photo- and systemic therapy prescribing practices in Europe for moderate-to-severe adult AD. In this week’s commentary, we report on the TREAT Survey. Read more

4 October 2019

Eczema awareness and patient-centred education

Atopic dermatitis (AD) has been in the spotlight lately, with the recent Skincare & Dermatology 2019 special report issued in The Times, as well as National Eczema Week (14–22 September 2019) and World Atopic Eczema Day (14 September 2019). October marks the start of National Eczema Awareness Month in the United States, and the goal of this year's compaign is to raise awareness, reduce stigma and illuminate the true effects of eczema. In this week's commentary, we reflect on why people with skin disease deserve better and consider how improved education and workforce training in dermatology could help patients manage the manifold effects of AD. Read more

20 September 2019

Atopic dermatitis and confidence: a team effort

This week marks National Eczema Week in the United Kingdom, and the theme this year is confidence. The organisers of this week, National Eczema Society, aim to promote confidence among patients and carers in managing eczema, as well as confidence in asking for the right medical care. This follows the recent World Atopic Eczema Day, an awareness campaign organised by the International Alliance of Dermatology Patient Organizations (IADPO), also known as GlobalSkin, and precedes the National Eczema Awareness Month this October in the United States. It is therefore timely to refect on the influence of social media, and consider how healthcare professionals and patient support groups can help people with atopic dermatitis improve their quality of life. Read more

6 September 2019

Scratching the surface: the skin microbiome and atopic dermatitis

The role of the skin microbiome in the pathophysiology of atopic dermatitis (AD) is not well understood. The Skincare & Dermatology 2019 special report, recently issued in The Times, reflects on whether skin can ever be too clean, and how an imbalance of the skin microbiota (i.e., dysbiosis) as a result of modern living could be exacerbating inflammatory skin conditions such as AD. In this commentary, we discuss the association between AD and the skin microbiome, and consider how healthcare professionals can help patients with AD to correct alterations in their skin microbiota and improve their symptoms. Read more

23 August 2019

Atopic dermatitis: moving beyond the prescription pad

Atopic dermatitis is one of the most common skin conditions, affecting more than 230 million people globally. As people suffering with eczema will know, the condition also profoundly affects quality of life. The Skincare & Dermatology 2019 special report from The Times explores the topic of mental health, and reports that psychological issues arising from skin conditions are fuelling the growth and importance of psychodermatology. In this commentary, we reflect on the mental health burden associated with AD, and discuss how healthcare professionals can incorporate the tools of psychodermatology into patient care. Read more

9 August 2019

Dermatology in the UK: time for a check-up?

The new Skincare & Dermatology 2019 special report, issued in The Times this week, is a welcome and timely publication. The report highlights a number of thought-provoking subjects, such as mental health and the role of new technology and teledermatology (more on these topics another day), and ends with a comment on how “patients with skin disease deserve better”. So, the question remains, why are we falling short of delivering more satisfying outcomes for patients with skin disease, and how can we move forward? In this commentary, we discuss dermatology in the UK and pose the question: is it time for a check-up? Read more