Recent research in atopic dermatitis (AD) has identified it to be a heterogeneous inflammatory skin
disorder of different endotypes (immune polarisation of T-cell subsets and genetic mutations) underlying
various phenotypes (age of onset, ethnicity, disease severity, etc.). The corresponding heterogeneity
in underlying patho-mechanisms of the disease has resulted in an impetus towards an endotype-driven
management of AD. We propose a practical approach that is based on classifying AD patients into intrinsic
and extrinsic phenotypes and their corresponding underlying endotypes. This approach aims to provide a
practical method that integrates recent understanding of AD pathogenesis for a targeted endotype-driven
management of AD.
Keywords: Atopic dermatitis, extrinsic eczema, intrinsic eczema
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