Atopic Dermatitis Spectrum Disorder

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is among the most prevalent chronic dermatological diseases in the world, yet the plethora of findings related to the condition and the wide range of disease severity presents a diagnostic challenge to physicians and patients. Over ten diagnostic criteria comprising more than forty clinical manifestations of AD have been published. Missed diagnoses may contribute to prolonged patient suffering, undertreatment, difficulty with insurance coverage of treatments, increased number of appointments for disease flares, and increased physician workload. The diagnosis of AD currently involves rigid criteria that guide treatment options, but perhaps viewing the disease as a spectrum disorder with various clinical manifestations may lead to prompt diagnosis and efficacious treatment.