title: A study on the knowledge, attitudes and practices of Southeast Asian dermatologists in the management of atopic dermatitis.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: National Skin Centre, 1 Mandalay Road, Singapore 308205.
authors.forename: Yuin-Chew
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Yong-Kwang
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Tay
authors.forename: Titi-Lestari
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Sugito
authors.forename: Siti Aisah
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Boediardja
authors.forename: Duong-Dinh
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Chau
authors.forename: Khac-Vien
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.forename: Kim-Chye
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Yee
authors.forename: Mardziah
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alias
authors.forename: Suraiya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hussein
authors.forename: Ma Victoria
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Dizon
authors.forename: Francisca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Roa
authors.forename: Yiong-Huak
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Siriwan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wananukul
authors.forename: Preya
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kullavanijaya
authors.forename: Srisupalak
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Singalavanija
authors.forename: Wai-Kwong
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Cheong
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives