Clinical features of atopic dermatitis in adult

ABSTRACT

This prospective study was designed to evaluate the major and minor features of Hanifin and Rajka in 100 adult patients with atopic dermatitis. The results showed that 65% of the patients had 4 major features and 80% had 6 minor features. The specific features included itchy (100%), chronic progress (100%), history of atopic conditions (79%), lichenification in flexural areas (78%), non-specific hand dermatitis (75%), onset before 5 years of age (74%), xerosis (63%). Non-specific features included the progress has been influenced by environmental and emotional factors (100%), white dermographism (79%). Uncommon features included Denie-Morgan folds (5%) and anterior neck folds (5%). Based on these results, a minimum clinical diagnostic criteria was proposed, by which to be diagnosed with atopic dermatitis, a patient must have itching plus 4 or more followed features history of atopic conditions, lichenification in flexural areas or eczema on face in children under 10 years of age, chronic progress, non-specific hand dermatitis, onset before 5 years of age and xerosis.