The Comparative Study of Atopic Dermatitis and Chronic Hand Eczema Clinical Course in Adults after Acute Relapse Treatment

Aims: To evaluate Atopic dermatitis (AD) and Chronic hand eczema (CHE) course in adults after discontinuation of acute or sub acute relapse treatment.

Study Design: three groups of adult patients that finished standard treatment for relapse of AD and CHE were followed up within 24 weeks of period to check disease severity, itch intensity and skin management effectiveness.

Place and Duration of Study Sample: population of Ivano-Frankivsk region of Ukraine September 2015 – May 2021.

Methods: 155 patients (51 females and 104 males; age between 20 and 50 years) with AD or CHE were enrolled in the study. The patients were randomized into three study groups depending on diagnosis. SCORAD index was used to assess disease severity, visual analog scale (VAS) was used to assess skin itch intensity. Frequency of disease treatment re-start with topical or systemic anti-inflammatory drugs as well as patients’sintention to ask for a treatment were calculated.

Results: Results of our study have shown that cases of new disease worsening occured within nearest 24 weeks after AD and CHE aggravation treatment discontinuation and are quite frequent despite appropriate skin care.

Conclusion: part of adult patients continues suffering from skin itch or mild skin lesions within nearest 24 weeks after discontinuation of intensive treatment of AD or CHE relapse. Prescription of antihistamines and/or topical anti-inflammatory treatment in addition to generally recommended skin care with emollients is crucial for patients with new worsening of the disease. Among patients with a new signs of worsening a part would unlikely ask for a new treatment immediately unless this worsening is moderate or severe.