Background: There is limited epidemiological information on the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) from specialist physicians in Mexico.
Objective: To know the criteria that is used by specialists in Mexico to diagnose and treat AD.
Methods: An observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study, which was authorized by the ethics committee, was carried out through an electronic survey.
Results: 114 surveys were carried out; 56% of the participants were allergists, 38% were dermatologists and 5% were pediatricians. It was identified that 54% used clinical criteria for the diagnosis of AD and 42% used the criteria of Hanifin-Rajka as a diagnostic complement; 38% requested total and/or specific IgE, blood biometry and blood chemistry tests. They recount that 90% of patients under the age of 18 had mild AD, 8% had moderate AD and 2% had severe AD; and, in patients over the age of 18, 89% had mild AD, 6% had moderate AD and 5% had severe AD. The patients' care was multidisciplinary, since 57% of the survey respondents requested assessments combined with ophthalmology, dermatology and allergology.
Conclusion: Knowledge of the disease will lead to a better control of the disease. The challenge is to have a patient registry, update treatment guidelines, consider comorbidities and have therapeutic options for its control.
Antecedentes: Existe escasa información epidemiológica sobre el tratamiento de la dermatitis atópica (DA) por parte de los médicos especialistas en México. Objetivo: Conocer los criterios utilizados para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la DA por los especialistas en México. Métodos: Estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal, autorizado por el comité de ética, mediante una encuesta electrónica. Resultados: Se realizaron 114 encuestas, 56 % de los participantes fueron alergólogos, 38 % dermatólogos y 5 % pediatras. Se identificó que 54 % utilizaba criterios clínicos para realizar el diagnóstico de DA y 42 %, los criterios de Hanifin-Rajka; como complemento diagnóstico, 38 % solicitaba IgE total o específica, biometría hemática y química sanguínea. Los encuestados refirieron que 90 % de los menores de 18 años presentaba DA leve, 8 % moderada y 2 % grave; y los mayores de esa edad, 89 % leve, 6 % moderada y 5 % grave. La atención del paciente era multidisciplinaria, ya que 57 % de los encuestados solicitaba valoraciones conjuntas con oftalmología, dermatología y alergología. Conclusión: El conocimiento de la DA propiciará un mejor control de la enfermedad. El reto es contar con un registro de pacientes, actualizar las guías de tratamiento, considerar comorbilidades y contar con opciones terapéuticas para su control.
Keywords: Atopic dermatitis; Eczematous skin diseases; Epidemiology.