SHBC1578

S.EE¹, Y.K.TAY¹, C.Y.CHU², E.L.K.HON³, K.F.LEONG⁴, S.W⁵

Changi General Hospital¹, National Taiwan University Hospital², The Chinese University of Hong Kong³, Kuala Lumpur General Hospital⁴, Chulalongkorn University⁵

Atopic dermatitis is a prevalent skin disease in Asia. Attitudes and practices vary among Asian cities. This study aims to survey similarities and differences in dermatologists’ attitudes and practices in Asian cities.

A questionnaire survey was sent to 118 dermatologists in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

The majority of the respondents would use topical corticosteroids in infants and children with AD. 55.6% of the respondents from Hong Kong used topical calcineurin inhibitors in AD, which is significantly lower compared to the other countries.

Most respondents used oral corticosteroids in severe AD. Many respondents from Singapore and Malaysia use cyclosporin (70% to 92%), azathioprine (80% to 100%) and methotrexate (72% to 75%). Fewer respondents from Thailand, Taiwan and Hong Kong used cyclosporin (22.2% to 59%), azathioprine (0% to 66.7%) and methotrexate (8% to 25.6%).

A large majority of respondents from Singapore, Taiwan and Malaysia use phototherapy in the management of AD (90% to 100%). 24% of respondents from Thailand and 33.3% of respondents from Hong Kong use phototherapy in AD.

Compared to the previous study, there is an improvement in the proportion of dermatologists in Asia using topical calcineurin inhibitors and phototherapy. This may signify better access to these treatment modalities throughout the region. The management of AD among Asians require a holistic approach while considering accessibility and cultural differences.