A study on the knowledge, attitudes and practices of Southeast Asian dermatologists in the management of atopic dermatitis.
BACKGROUND
This study evaluated the knowledge, attitudes and practices of Southeast Asian dermatologists in the management of atopic dermatitis (AD).


METHODS
A questionnaire survey of 255 dermatologists in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.


RESULTS
Familiarity with diagnostic criteria varied considerably. The usage of moisturisers by the respondents from Vietnam and Indonesia was significantly less frequent than the other countries. Most respondents (91% to 100%) used topical corticosteroids in children with mild-to-moderately severe dermatitis. Some respondents in the Philippines (17% to 19%) and Vietnam (11% to 25%) only used topical corticosteroids for severe disease. For infected eczema, most respondents would prescribe systemic antibiotics for mild-to-moderate infection. A minority in the Philippines (14%) and Vietnam (11%) did so only for severe infection. The top 4 systemic antibiotics prescribed most frequently were: erythromycin, cloxacillin, cephalosporin and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. In Indonesia, a large proportion of the respondents (47%) prescribed amoxicillin most frequently. The majority of respondents (60% to 100%) prescribed both sedating and non-sedating oral antihistamines. Most respondents used oral corticosteroids to treat severe AD. Some in Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam used cyclosporin (7% to 58%), azathioprine (5% to 31%) and methotrexate (5% to 14%). With the exception of those in Singapore, the majority of respondents (71% to 97%) did not use phototherapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Familiarity with diagnostic criteria, the early and judicious use of moisturisers and topical corticosteroids, as well as the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus superinfection with penicillinase-stable antibiotics should be emphasised in this region.
Chan
Yuin-Chew
YC
National Skin Centre, 1 Mandalay Road, Singapore 308205.
Tay
Yong-Kwang
YK
Sugito
Titi-Lestari
TL
Boediardja
Siti Aisah
SA
Chau
Duong-Dinh
DD
Nguyen
Khac-Vien
KV
Yee
Kim-Chye
KC
Alias
Mardziah
M
Hussein
Suraiya
S
Dizon
Ma Victoria
MV
Roa
Francisca
F
Chan
Yiong-Huak
YH
Wananukul
Siriwan
S
Kullavanijaya
Preya
P
Singalavanija
Srisupalak
S
Cheong
Wai-Kwong
WK
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001210:Asia, Southeastern / Q000453:epidemiology; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D004333:Drug Administration Routes; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives