Atopic and non-atopic eczema

doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7541.584

BMJ 2006;332:584-588 (11 March), doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7541.584

Clinical review

Atopic and non-atopic eczema

Sara Brown, specialist registrar in dermatolgy¹, Nick J Reynolds, professor of dematology¹

¹ Department of Dermatology, Royal Victoria Infirmary, and Dermatological Sciences, Medical School, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH

Correspondence to: N J Reynolds, head, School of Clinical and Laboratory Sciences, Medical School, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH N.J.Reynolds@ncl.ac.uk

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Introduction

Atopic eczema is a chronic, relapsing, inflammatory skin conditionassociated with epidermal barrier dysfunction. This articleprovides a summary of current knowledge on eczema and its management.

Sources and selection criteria

We used the following sources of information to write this review:

PubMed search using the key words "atopic eczema", "atopic dermatitis","incidence", "genetics", "pathogenesis", "treatment", and "management".We gave preference to original articles published in the pastthree years and recent review articles published in high impactjournals
Search of the following Cochrane Library databases:CochraneDatabase of Systemic Reviews; Database of Abstractsand Reviewsof Effectiveness; Cochrane Central Register of ControlledTrials
Personal archive of references.

How do we define atopic eczema?

Atopic eczema and atopic dermatitis are terms that have beenused synonymously (for a clinical definition see box), but areview committee by the World Allergy Organisation has publishedits recommended terminology (see fig 1).¹

View larger version (31K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]

Fig 1 Subgroups of dermatitis. Some patients may have a combination of . . . [Full text of this article]

Why is eczema important?

Epidemiology

Pathophysiology—what do we know?

Genetic factors in atopic eczema

How to treat atopic eczema

Conclusion

CiteULike

Complore

Connotea

Del.icio.us Add to Digg

Digg

StumbleUpon Add to Technorati

Technorati What's this?

Relevant Articles

Eczema in pregnancy: Sophie Weatherhead, Stephen C Robson, and Nick J Reynolds
BMJ 2007 335: 152-154. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Educational programmes for young people with eczema: Hywel C Williams
BMJ 2006 332: 923-924. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Managing atopic eczema
BMJ 2006 332: 0. [Full Text] [PDF]

Efficacy and tolerability of topical pimecrolimus and tacrolimus in the treatment of atopic dermatitis: meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials: Darren M Ashcroft, Paul Dimmock, Ruth Garside, Ken Stein, and Hywel C Williams
BMJ 2005 330: 516. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Twice weekly fluticasone propionate added to emollient maintenance treatment to reduce risk of relapse in atopic dermatitis: randomised, double blind, parallel group study: John Berth-Jones, Robert J Damstra, Stefan Golsch, John K Livden, Oliver Van Hooteghem, Fulvio Allegra, and Christine A Parker
BMJ 2003 326: 1367. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Randomised controlled trial of short bursts of a potent topical corticosteroid versus prolonged use of a mild preparation for children with mild or moderate atopic eczema: K S Thomas, S Armstrong, A Avery, A Li Wan Po, C O'Neill, S Young, and H C Williams
BMJ 2002 324: 768. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

This article has been cited by other articles:

Simpson, C. R, Newton, J., Hippisley-Cox, J., Sheikh, A. (2009). Trends in the epidemiology and prescribing of medication for eczema in England. JRSM 102: 108-117 [Abstract] [Full text]
Coureau, B., Bussieres, J.-F., Tremblay, S. (2008). Cushing's Syndrome Induced by Misuse of Moderate- to High-Potency Topical Corticosteroids. The Annals of Pharmacotherapy 42: 1903-1907 [Abstract] [Full text]
Pengelly, T. (2007). Review: An exploratory study into nurses' understanding and knowledge of children and young people with eczema. Journal of Research in Nursing 12: 585-586
Weatherhead, S., Robson, S. C, Reynolds, N. J (2007). Eczema in pregnancy. BMJ 335: 152-154 [Full text]
Williams, H. C (2006). Educational programmes for young people with eczema. BMJ 332: 923-924 [Full text]