title: Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis in the United States: Analysis of Data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey.
abstract: <p>Introduction: Atopic dermatitis (AD) affects both adult and pediatric patients, and multiple practitioners encounter and manage AD. However, differences with regard to the treatment of AD between specialties are not well characterized.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The primary objective of this study was to determine if there is a difference between dermatologists and non-dermatology specialties with regard to treatment strategies for AD and to describe those differences.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from the 1993-2010 National Ambulatory Medical Care (NAMCS) and National Hospital Ambulatory Care (NHAMCS) Surveys were used to characterize outpatient visits made for AD. Differences in demographic, geographic and seasonal characteristics were obtained and compared. Additionally, the frequency of medications prescribed at dermatologist visits were compared to other specialties.
  
  
  METHODS
  Frequency of modalities used in the treatment of atopic dermatitis between dermatologists and non-dermatology specialties.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An estimated 3.7 million visits for AD were made to outpatient offices and hospital departments from 1993 to 2010. The rates per capita of visits for atopic dermatitis were similar when evaluated by gender and season. However, Caucasians were almost 50% less likely than African Americans or individuals of other minority races to have visits for AD. Topical corticosteroids (TCS) were mentioned at 52% of visits, and dermatologists were more likely than non-dermatologists to prescribe TCS, emollients, and topical calcineurin inhibitors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dermatologists were more likely to recommend TCS, emollients, and topical calciuneurin inhibitors for the treatment of AD. Dermatologists were also more likely to prescribe higher potency TCS in comparison to non-dermatology specialties, and these differences may ultimately affect patient care. As a result, there remains a disparity between dermatologists and non-dermatology specialties with regard to evidence-based approaches to the treatment of AD.</p> <p><em>J Drugs Dermatol. 2017;16(3):250-255.</em></p>.
authors.forename: Sean P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: McGregor
authors.forename: Michael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Farhangian
authors.forename: Karen E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Steven R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Feldman
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000072085:Dermatologists / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004643:Emollients / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019538:Health Care Surveys / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009819:Office Visits / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D014481:United States; D044465:White People
chemical_list: D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors; D004643:Emollients; D005938:Glucocorticoids