title: Consensus Guidelines for the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis in Korea (Part II): Systemic Treatment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Since the treatment guidelines for atopic dermatitis (AD) were issued by the Korean Atopic Dermatitis Association (KADA) work group in 2006, there have been further advances in the systemic treatment of AD.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to establish updated evidence- and experience-based systemic treatment guidelines for Korean AD.
  
  
  METHODS
  We compiled a database of references from relevant systematic reviews and guidelines regarding the systemic management of AD, including antihistamines, antimicrobials, systemic immunomodulators, allergen-specific immunotherapy, phototherapy, adjunctive treatment, and complementary and alternative medicines. Evidence for each statement was graded and classified based on the strength of the recommendation. Thirty-nine council members of KADA participated in the three rounds of votes and expert consensus recommendations were established.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The use of antihistamines is recommended to relieve pruritus and to prevent exacerbation due to scratching in AD patients. Infection should be controlled as needed and long-term medication should be avoided. For moderate to severe AD patients, concomitant active treatments with systemic immunomodulators are indicated. Cyclosporine is the first choice among systemic immunomodulators and others should be considered as second-line alternatives. Allergen-specific immunotherapy could be effective in AD patients with aeroallergen hypersensitivity. Phototherapy can be useful for moderate to severe AD patients and narrow-band ultraviolet B is the most effective option. Complementary and alternative medicines cannot be recommended for treating AD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We expect these recommendations to be a reference guide for physicians and AD patients in choosing the appropriate treatment to improve quality of life and decrease unnecessary social medical costs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jung Eun
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Seoul Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun Jeong
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Bark-Lynn
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Lew
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyung Ho
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Dankook University Medical College, Cheonan, Korea.
authors.forename: Seung Phil
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Yong Hyun
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Kui Young
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Seong Jun
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jung Min
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea.
authors.forename: Eung Ho
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, SA Dermatology Clinic, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Ki Beom
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Suhr
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Seung Chul
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun Chang
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Young Lip
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Wook
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Son
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Young Jun
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Yang Won
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Hyun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Chun Wook
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Joo Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Roh
keywords: Administration; Dermatitis; Guideline; Korea; Therapeutics; oral