title: A prospective study of atopic dermatitis managed without topical corticosteroids for a 6-month period.
abstract: Topical corticosteroids (TCS) are regarded as the mainstay treatment for atopic dermatitis (AD). As AD has a tendency to heal naturally, the long-term efficacy of TCS in AD management should be compared with the outcomes seen in patients with AD not using TCS. However, there are few long-term studies that consider patients with AD not using TCS. We designed a prospective multicenter cohort study to assess the clinical outcomes in patients with AD who did not use TCS for 6 months and then compared our results with an earlier study by Furue et al which considered AD patients using TCS over 6 months. Our patients' clinical improvement was comparable with the patients described in Furue's research. In light of this, it is reasonable for physicians to manage AD patients who decline TCS, as the expected long-term prognosis is similar whether they use TCS or not.
authors.affiliation: Tsurumai Kouen Clinic, Nagoya.
authors.forename: Mototsugu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fukaya
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Hannan Chuo Hospital.
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Hannan Chuo Hospital.
authors.forename: Takahiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.affiliation: Sato Pediatric Clinic, Osaka.
authors.forename: Mitsuko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.affiliation: Fujisawa Dermatology Clinic, Tokyo.
authors.forename: Shigeki
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fujisawa
authors.affiliation: Ageofutatsunomiya Clinic, Saitama.
authors.forename: Satoko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Minaguchi
authors.affiliation: Kimata Hajime Clinic, Osaka.
authors.forename: Hajime
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kimata
authors.affiliation: Dozono Medical House, Kagoshima, Japan.
authors.forename: Haruhiko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dozono
keywords: atopic dermatitis; topical corticosteroids; topical steroid addiction