Simple and low-cost ways to improve atopic dermatitis treatment outcomes

   Background. According to the Ministry of Health of Russia in the Russian Federation, the prevalence and incidence of atopic dermatitis in the population in 2021 were 390.4 and 155.4 per 100 thousand population, respectively. The prevalence of atopic dermatitis among children aged 0-14 years reaches 1444, the incidence is 644 per 100 thousand of the corresponding population, among children aged 15-17 years – 1047 and 329 per 100 thousand of the corresponding population. Among the adult population of the Russian Federation, the prevalence of atopic dermatitis was 129.2, the incidence was 39.4 per 100 thousand of the corresponding population.

   Objective. This paper presents a review ofcurrently available methods of improving the treatment of atopic dermatitis via digital technology means.

   Results. As is the case with other chronic diseases, atopic dermatitis significantly affects quality of life of patients and their families. This impact is directly influenced by patient knowledge of the disease, their adherence to treatment (i.e. willingness to thoroughly followphysician’s prescriptions and instructions)as well as proper skin care during both acute and remission phases. Improving patients’ or their caregivers’ knowledge of atopic dermatitis can thus improve their quality of life. Vast majority of international as well as Russian clinical guidelines for the management of atopic dermatitis place special emphasis on the patient and family education: traditional treatment is to be supplemented with educational programs. A prime example of such program would be an online school, as it is not time consuming for physicians. Wide spread of mobile technologies allowed patients to accessinternet from their smartphones and in this way presented another opportunity to involve them in the treatment. This is commonly done through mobile applications for patient education, assistance and support, and such applications have already been developed in Russian.

   Conclusion. Modern digital and internet technologies thus give patients access to not only structured educational programs, but also to mobile applications forself-control that motivate patients to adhere to the treatment, especially basic skin care routine.

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