Management of Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis by Primary Care Providers: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Primary care providers (PCPs), including pediatricians and general practitioners, are often the first to see children with eczema/atopic dermatitis (AD). Little is known about management of pediatric AD by PCPs and adherence to national guidelines. To review existing literature examining management components of pediatric AD (topical corticosteroids [TCS], topical calcineurin inhibitors [TCIs], antihistamines, bathing, emollients, and diet) by PCPs. PubMed/Medline and Embase. English-language articles dated 2015 to 2020 reporting outcomes addressing management of pediatric AD by PCPs. Two authors independently screened titles/abstracts, reviewed full-text articles, extracted relevant data, and evaluated study quality. Disagreements were resolved by a third author. Twenty articles were included. Surveys and national database analyses were the most common methodologies (n=7 each). PCPs commonly prescribed TCS but had a preference for low-potency agents, overprescribed nonsedating antihistamines, and avoided TCIs. PCPs commonly recommended emollients, although this was not universal. Data characterizing nonmedication management were limited. Most studies did not examine individual patient encounters, but rather relied on providers reporting their general behaviors. Provider behavior may vary based on country of practice. Knowledge and management gaps exist among PCPs in treating pediatric AD in key areas including knowledge of TCS safety profiles and prescribing of TCIs. The current literature is largely limited to small studies that evaluate prescribing behaviors with limited data characterizing nonmedication management, highlighting the need for future research in this area.