[Algoritmo de tratamiento de la dermatitis atópica en Perú. Consenso de expertos].

Objective: Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, systemic, relapsing disease with dermatological manifestations, which imposes a high burden on patients, families and the health care system and has a high psychological, social, and economic impact and on the quality of life of patients. It mainly affects the pediatric population and, to a lesser extent, the adult population. The clinical presentation varies according to the age and evolution of the disease, and currently there are multiple pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies available for the symptomatic management of patients. Methods: To present an algorithm for the management of atopic dermatitis, proposed as a series of recommendations on the management, diagnosis, education, and follow-up of these patients. Results: A consensus was reached using the nominal group technique. The methodology was developed in 7 phases, including: posing the research questions, literature search, an initial proposal of recommendations, elaboration of the final recommendations and the management algorithm with three voting cycles, consensus was established with 80% favorability. Conclusions: The result of the consensus process is a management algorithm for patients with mild, moderate/severe atopic dermatitis derived from expert recommendations. The algorithm establishes diagnostic and treatment criteria and provides updated recommendations, including all therapeutic alternatives available in Peru for the management of patients with mild, moderate, and severe atopic dermatitis.

Objetivo: La dermatitis atópica es una enfermedad crónica, sistémica, reincidente, con manifestaciones dermatológicas, que impone una alta carga a los pacientes, las familias y los sistemas de salud, y tiene repercusión psicológica, social y económica, y en la calidad de vida de los pacientes. Afecta principalmente a la población pediátrica y con menor frecuencia a la adulta. Las manifestaciones clínicas varían según la edad y evolución de la enfermedad, y en la actualidad se dispone de múltiples opciones farmacológicas y no farmacológicas para el tratamiento de los pacientes. Métodos: Presentar un algoritmo de tratamiento de la dermatitis atópica, propuesto con una serie de recomendaciones acerca del diagnóstico, tratamiento y seguimiento de los pacientes. Resultados: Se llevó a cabo un consenso de expertos, utilizando la técnica del grupo nominal. La metodología se desarrolló en 7 fases que incluyeron: planteamiento de las preguntas de investigación, búsqueda de la bibliografía, propuesta inicial de las recomendaciones, elaboración de las recomendaciones finales y del algoritmo de tratamiento con tres ciclos de votación. Se estableció el consenso con un 80% de favorabilidad. Conclusiones: El resultado del consenso fue un algoritmo de tratamiento de pacientes con dermatitis atópica leve, moderada-grave, derivado de las recomendaciones de expertos. En el algoritmo se establecen criterios diagnósticos y de tratamiento, y se aportan recomendaciones actualizadas que incluyen las alternativas disponibles en Perú.

Learnings from real-life experience of using omalizumab for chronic urticaria in Latin America.

BACKGROUND: Updated urticaria guidelines recommend that patients should be assessed for disease activity, severity, control, and quality of life at baseline and follow up. Regarding treatment, guidelines consider second generation antihistamines as the cornerstone in therapy for chronic urticaria (CU), while other drugs, such as omalizumab, are conceived as second-line alternatives. In regards to omalizumab, despite advances in the management of CU, there are still open questions about timing, dosing, and objective measures for clinical response. This study was designed to portray the use of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in chronic urticaria management, as well as the effectiveness and treatment patterns of omalizumab in CU, as seen in a real-life setting in Latin America. METHODS: This is a retrospective observational study, involving 72 Latin American patients with chronic urticaria treated with omalizumab. Patient reported outcomes and treatment patterns, response, quality of life improvement and discontinuation were analyzed. RESULTS: From the 72 patients, 91.7% (n = 66) were assessed through PROs, where urticaria control test (UCT) was the most used (79.2%; n = 57). Overall, 80.0% (n = 44) responded to omalizumab at some point of the treatment. Omalizumab 300 mg was associated with earlier response compared to lower doses. Regardless of dosage, most patients assessed with CU-Q2oL improved quality of life (80.8%; n = 21). With respect to omalizumab discontinuation, 20.8% (n = 15) patients interrupted omalizumab before the 3rd month of treatment (p = .000). CONCLUSIONS: The present study highlights how the use of PROs and omalizumab in Latin America differ from guidelines' recommendations and clinical trials. Even though most patients were initiated under omalizumab 300 mg, most of them finished with lower doses. Regardless of dosage, most patients responded to omalizumab and improved quality of life at some point during treatment. However, such features were seen earlier with omalizumab 300 mg. Regarding treatment discontinuation, one-fifth of patients interrupted omalizumab before the third month.