Atopic Dermatitis in Latin America: A Roadmap to Address Data Collection, Knowledge Gaps, and Challenges

Abstract

BackgroundAtopic dermatitis (AD) is a systemic, multifactorial disease that causes significant morbidity and health care burden in Latin America (LA). Data on AD are scarce in LA. Lack of disease registries and non-standardized study methodologies, coupled with region-specific genetic, immunological, and environmental factors, hamper data collection. A panel of LA experts in AD was given a series of relevant questions to address before a conference. Each narrative was discussed and edited through numerous rounds of deliberation until achieving consensus. Identified knowledge gaps in AD research were updated prevalence, adult-disease epidemiology, local phenotypes and endotypes, severe-disease prevalence, specialist distribution, and AD public health policy. Underlying reasons for these gaps include limited funding for AD research, from epidemiology and public policy to clinical and translational studies. Regional heterogeneity requires that complex interactions between race, ethnicity, and environmental factors be further studied. Informed awareness, education, and decision making should be encouraged.

Investigación multidisciplinaria desde una visión multidisciplinar. Libro 1

“…La DA. podría diferenciarse con muchas enfermedades cutáneas, no obstante la morfología, la clínica de las lesiones, la etiopatogenia, son criterios importantes para su diagnóstico, e instaurar el tratamiento adecuado, siguiendo los algoritmos referidos durante estos últimos tiempos por expertos en la rama dermatológica (Borzutzky et al, 2022).…”

“…Otra de las escalas valorativas de la DA, es Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI): esta escala con una puntuación de 0-70 puntos identifica la localización de las lesiones a nivel de cabeza, cuello, tronco, extremidades y su porcentaje de acuerdo a la intensidad y gravedad de afectación no considera importante al prurito ni el insomnio, tiene una escala de clasificación objetiva, y subjetiva. El picor intenso y la distribución típica de las lesiones son claves, así como el eccema para el diagnóstico, sin embargo, existen enfermedades inflamatorias con la que se debe realizar ciertas diferencias entre las principales se citan: Dermatitis seborreica, dermatitis de contacto alérgica, sarna, psoriasis (Borzutzky et al, 2022).…”

“…Actualmente se han elaborado guías terapéuticas en escalones y se describen algunos efectos de los fármacos, para los síntomas persistentes; como el prurito que genera el rascado, que a consecuencia de este ocasiona lesiones en la piel contribuye al insomnio, irritación, malestar (tabla 2), alterando consecuentemente la calidad de vida de quien la padece y de su familia (Borzutzky et al, 2022). Nota: Elección de fármaco según fase de evolución, intensidad de lesiones.…”

Impact of a Digital Atopic Dermatitis Educational Intervention on Hispanic Patients and Family Members

“…The prevalence of atopic dermatitis in Hispanic adults living in the United States has been reported at 6.0% [ 2 ]. There has been a variation of AD prevalence reported among countries in Latin America, with countries such as Argentina having an overall prevalence of 9.7% and countries such as Brazil having an upwards of 20.1% prevalence [ 3 ] In the US, Hispanic people have faced several obstacles when accessing healthcare. For Hispanics with limited proficiency in English, communication is often limited, which makes it difficult for them to obtain and maintain longitudinal care with a healthcare provider [ 4 ].…”

Association between obesity and atopic dermatitis in children: A case‐control study in a high obesity prevalence population

“…The COVID‐19 pandemic has further worsened the situation, with current rates of severe obesity in Chile exceeding 10% of preschool children 16 . Moreover, Latin America is described as a relatively high AD prevalence region in recent studies, with many knowledge gaps and challenges related to this condition 17,18 …”