Topical tacrolimus versus corticosteroids in childhood moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis and the impact on airway inflammation: a long-term randomized open-label study

Miia Perälä, Alexander Salava, Pekka Malmberg, Anna S Pelkonen, Mika J Mäkelä, Anita Remitz

DOI: 10.1093/ced/llad098

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• What is this paper about?

  This paper compares two treatments for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in children: topical tacrolimus and topical corticosteroids. The researchers also looked at whether these treatments affected airway inflammation and breathing problems that often occur alongside eczema.

• How did the authors study this?

  The researchers conducted a 3-year study with regular check-ups of the children. They measured the severity of eczema using different scales (BSA, EASI, IGA), tested skin water loss, and performed breathing tests. They also did laboratory tests to check immune system markers.

• What populations did the authors study?

  The study included 152 children aged 1-3 years old with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. All children were followed for 3 years.

• What did the authors find?

  Both treatments (tacrolimus and corticosteroids) worked similarly well in treating eczema. The only difference was that skin water loss at unaffected skin sites increased more in the corticosteroid group by the end of the study. Neither treatment showed any significant effect on airway inflammation or breathing problems.

• What conclusions can we draw?

  The authors concluded that both topical tacrolimus and topical corticosteroids are effective long-term treatments for children with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. Early effective treatment of eczema did not impact the development of airway problems.