Consensus statements on pediatric atopic dermatitis from dermatology and pediatrics practitioners in Japan: Goals of treatment and topical therapy.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric atopic dermatitis (PAD) is a pluricausal disease and is frequently seen in dermatological and pediatric practice. Therefore, it is important to find common views in clinical practice and to promote consensus among practitioners. Aiming to obtain common views among dermatologists and pediatricians and to disseminate them widely in clinical practice, we held the PAD Consensus Forums described herein. METHODS: Questionnaire surveys of treatment goals and drug therapy were conducted to prepare topics for discussion at the PAD Consensus Forums. Reaching consensus was defined as agreement among at least 70% of the participants. RESULTS: As a result of discussion among 24 dermatologists and 25 pediatricians, consensus was obtained on 7 topics. These topics configure 3 consensus of treatment goals (Attainment targets were divided into the short/medium term and the long term. Attainment targets were associated with the primary evaluation domains of the Harmonising Outcome Measures for Eczema (HOME) roadmap, etc.) and 4 consensus of drug therapy (The number of applications of topical anti-inflammatory drugs in the acute phase and selection and ideal intervals between applications of topical anti-inflammatory drugs in proactive therapy, etc.). CONCLUSIONS: The consensus is expected to help practitioners set appropriate treatment goals in clinical practice and facilitate the choice of drugs for treatment.

Salivary cortisol monitoring: determination of reference values in healthy children and application in asthmatic children.

Venipuncture testing of adrenocortical function in asthmatic infants and young children receiving inhaled corticosteroids can raise cortisol levels and mask physiological responses. This study aimed to establish reference ranges for salivary cortisol levels and evaluate the safety and effects of jet-nebulized budesonide inhalation suspension (BIS) on salivary cortisol levels and patient outcomes in infants and young children with mild or persistent asthma. Reference salivary cortisol levels were determined in healthy children aged 6 months to 4 years old. A 12-week multicenter, randomized, parallel-group, open-label study was performed involving 53 age-matched asthmatic children who received either 0.5 mg/day of BIS or 40-60 mg/day of cromolyn sodium inhalation suspension (CIS) via compressor nebulizer. The effective measuring range of salivary cortisol concentration in asthmatic children was 0.12-3.00 micrograms/dL. The upper and lower limits of the reference range were 0.827 and 0.076 micrograms/dL, respectively. No significant difference was seen from baseline through week 12 in the CIS and BIS groups. BIS was safe in these patients, with no inhibitory effects on adrenocortical function. Salivary cortisol measurement offers a useful and accurate tool for testing adrenocortical function in infants and young children. Longer-term studies that incorporate testing of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis are warranted to confirm our findings.

Surveys on the prevalence of pediatric bronchial asthma in Japan: a comparison between the 1982, 1992, and 2002 surveys conducted in the same region using the same methodology.

BACKGROUND: We conducted and reported the first (1982; 55,388 subjects), and second (1992; 45,674 subjects), epidemiological surveys conducted on bronchial asthma in elementary students across 11 prefectures in western Japan. The 2 surveys were conducted in the same regions using the same methodology employing a modified Japanese version of the American Thoracic Society-Division of Lung Diseases (ATS-DLD) Epidemiology Questionnaire. We conducted the third survey in 2002, and compared the findings to those of previous studies. METHODS: In the third survey, 37,036 students attending the same schools as in previous surveys (in 11 prefectures) were given the questionnaire. A total of 35,582 responses (96.1%) were collected. An ATS-DLD Epidemiology Questionnaire was also used in this study, and the findings were compared to those of previous studies. RESULTS: 1. The prevalence of bronchial asthma (BA) in boys, girls, and all students was 3.8%, 2.5%, and 3.2%, respectively, for the first survey; 5.6%, 3.5%, and 4.6% for the second survey; and 8.1%, 4.9%, and 6.5% for the third survey. 2. A decline in the BA prevalence in older subjects which could be seen in the first survey was absent in the second and third surveys. There were no regional differences in the third survey. 3. The boys-to-girls ratio in the first, second, and third surveys was 1.5, 1.6, and 1.6, respectively. 4. BA was more prevalent among subjects with a past history of respiratory disease in infancy and those with a family history of allergic disease. 5. The prevalence of asthma symptoms and wheezing in the first, second, and third surveys was 7.1%, 9.8%, and 11.8%, respectively. 6. A comparison of the prevalence of other allergic diseases between the second and third surveys revealed a decrease in atopic dermatitis and an increase in allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and cedar pollinosis. CONCLUSIONS: BA prevalence in the third survey increased 2.1 and 1.4 times respectively compared to the first survey and second survey, indicating an upward trend in all regions and age groups surveyed.