Clinical Issues in Atopic Dermatitis

This activity is jointly provided by Global Education Group and Integritas Communications.

This activity is supported by an educational grant from Sanofi Genzyme and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.

This symposium is independently organized and not an official part of the Skin Disease Education Foundation’s 42nd Hawaii Dermatology Seminar. CME/CE credit is provided for this symposium.

Target Audience

The educational design of this activity addresses the needs of dermatologists and other healthcare professionals involved in the treatment of patients with atopic dermatitis

Educational Objectives

After completing this activity, the participant should be better able to:

• Describe the pathophysiologic mechanisms and risk factors that contribute to atopic dermatitis development and persistence, with a focus on specific targets of current and emerging systemic treatments
• Assess patients with atopic dermatitis over time for uncontrolled symptoms, sleep disturbances, comorbid conditions, and treatment responses
• Describe the mechanistic rationales and clinical evidence for current and emerging biologic therapies in the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis
• Individualize long-term therapeutic regimens for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis to prevent exacerbations, manage comorbidities, maximize health-related quality of life, and minimize treatment-related side effects 
• Communicate with patients and caregivers to improve their understanding of atopic dermatitis and the importance of treatment adherence and promote shared decision-making

Statement of Need

Atopic dermatitis is a common, chronic inflammatory disease that manifests primarily in the skin, although research has uncovered potential deleterious effects in other organ systems throughout the body.^1,2 The multifactorial biopsychosocial burdens of atopic dermatitis often markedly reduce patients’ quality of life, particularly in those with moderate-to-severe disease.^3,4 A better understanding of atopic dermatitis etiology has supported the development of new approaches to disease characterization and targeted therapies.^5,6 Indeed, the first biologic medication is now available to treat patients with moderate-to-severe disease and several other agents are in late-stage clinical development.⁷ To best serve their patients with difficult-to-treat atopic dermatitis, dermatologists can benefit from updates on the latest clinical trial data and practical recommendations on how the growing evidence pool should be translated into daily clinical decision making for patient assessment and treatment.^7,8 In this Clinical Issues™ program, an expert faculty panel will discuss and debate the pathophysiologic underpinnings of atopic dermatitis, considerations related to comprehensively evaluating patients, and recommended therapeutic strategies for moderate-to-severe disease. Attendees are sure to leave this lively and engaging program with new information and a fresh perspective on the evolving best practices for managing patients with atopic dermatitis. 

1. Nutten S. Atopic dermatitis: global epidemiology and risk factors. Ann Nutr Metab. 2015:66(suppl 1):8-16.
2. Brunner PM, et al. Increasing comorbidities suggest that atopic dermatitis is a systemic disorder. J Invest Dermatol. 2017;137(1):18-25.
3. Whiteley J, et al. The burden of atopic dermatitis in US adults: results from the 2013 National Health and Wellness Survey. Curr Med Res Opin. 2016;32(10):1-7 [Epub ahead of print].
4. Drucker AM, et al. The burden of atopic dermatitis: summary of a report for the National Eczema Association. J Invest Dermatol. 2017;137(1):26-30.
5. Mansouri Y, Guttman-Yassky E. Immune pathways in atopic dermatitis, and definition of biomarkers through broad and targeted therapeutics. J Clin Med. 2015;4(5):858-873.
6. Gandhi NA, et al. Targeting key proximal drivers of type 2 inflammation in disease. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2016;15(1):35-50.
7. Simpson EL, et al. Two phase 3 trials of dupilumab versus placebo in atopic dermatitis. N Engl J Med. 2016;375(24):2335-2348.
8. Ungar B, et al. An integrated model of atopic dermatitis biomarkers highlights the systemic nature of the disease. J Invest Dermatol. 2017;137(3):603-613.

Physician Accreditation Statement

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of Global Education Group (Global) and Integritas Communications. Global is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

This CME/CE activity complies with all requirements of the federal Physician Payment Sunshine Act. If a reportable event is associated with this activity, the accredited provider managing the program will provide the appropriate physician data to the Open Payments database.

Physician Credit Designation

Global Education Group designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest

Global Education Group (Global) requires instructors, planners, managers and other individuals and their spouse/life partner who are in a position to control the content of this activity to disclose any real or apparent conflict of interest they may have as related to the content of this activity. All identified conflicts of interest are thoroughly vetted by Global for fair balance, scientific objectivity of studies mentioned in the materials or used as the basis for content, and appropriateness of patient care recommendations.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Event staff will be glad to assist you with any special needs (ie, physical, dietary, etc). Please contact Katie Anderton prior to the live event at kanderton@integritasgrp.com

For information about the accreditation of this program, please contact Global at 646-350-0906 or cme@globaleducationgroup.com.