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Background: There are few population‐based studies assessing the prevalence of skin diseases. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of five chronic skin inflammatory diseases, i.e. atopic dermatitis (AD), psoriasis, alopecia areata (AA), vitiligo and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) in France, using validated self‐diagnostic questionnaires. Methods: Population‐based study using a representative sample of the French general population aged more than 15 years and sampling with replacement design. All participants were asked (ii) to fill in a specific questionnaire including socio‐demographic characteristics, (ii) to declare if they have been diagnosed with one or more skin problem or skin diseases during their life, and (iii) to fill in five validated self‐reported questionnaires for AD, psoriasis, AA, vitiligo and HS. Results: A total of 20.012 adult participants responded to the questionnaire of whom 9760 were men (48.8%) and 10.252 (51.2%) were women. We identified a prevalence of 4.65% for AD (931 individuals), 4.42% for psoriasis (885 individuals), 1.04% for AA (210 individuals), 0.46% for vitiligo (93 individuals) and 0.15% for HS (29 individuals), respectively. Limitations: Questionnaire‐based study and possible disease misclassifications. Conclusion: This is the largest population‐based study aiming to estimate the prevalence of five chronic skin inflammatory diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atopic Dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin disease that carries a significant burden of disease and patient quality-of-life impairment. Several disorders known or supposed to be associated with AD were collected: atopic manifestations, cardiometabolic diseases, neuropsychiatric disorders, auto-immune or inflammatory diseases, addictions, neoplasia and patient-reported past skin infections. [Extracted from the article]

Objective This study was performed to investigate the efficacy and safety of a prevention-of-flare-progression strategy with pimecrolimus cream 1% in children and adolescents with atopic dermatitis (AD). Methods A 26-week multi-centre, randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled study was conducted in 521 patients aged 2–17 years, with a history of mild or moderate AD, who were clear/almost clear of disease before randomization to pimecrolimus cream 1% ( n = 256) or vehicle cream ( n = 265). Twice-daily treatment with study medication was started at the first signs and/or symptoms of recurring AD. If, despite the application of study medication for at least 3 days, AD worsened (as confirmed by the investigator), treatment with a moderately potent topical corticosteroid (TCS) was allowed in both groups. The primary efficacy end point was the number of days on study without TCS use for a flare. Results The mean number of TCS-free days was significantly higher ( P < 0.0001) in the pimecrolimus cream 1% group (160.2 days) than in the control group (137.7 days). On average, patients on pimecrolimus cream 1% experienced 50% fewer flares requiring TCSs (0.84) than patients on vehicle cream (1.68) ( P < 0.0001). Patients on pimecrolimus cream 1% also had fewer unscheduled visits (87) than patients on vehicle cream (246). Conclusions In children and adolescents with a history of mild or moderate AD but free/almost free of signs or symptoms of the disease, early treatment of subsequent AD exacerbations with pimecrolimus cream 1% prevented progression to flares requiring TCS, leading to fewer unscheduled visits and reducing corticosteroid exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on two cases of childhood atopic dermatitis (AD) treated with the elimination of milk and milk products. Factors that precipitate AD; Characteristics of the skin disease of the first patient; Elimination of certain food to control AD.