Atopic Dermatitis

Faculty

Robert E. Kalb, MD
Chair, Dermatology Department
Buffalo Medical Group, PC
Clinical Professor of Dermatology
The State University of New York at Buffalo
Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
New Brunswick, New Jersey

Jeffrey M. Weinberg, MD
Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, New York
Director, Division of Dermatology
Jamaica Hospital Medical Center
Richmond Hill, New York

Target Audience

The educational design of this activity addresses the needs of dermatologists, allergists/clinical immunologists, and other clinicians involved in the ongoing management of patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis.

Statement of Need/Program Overview

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory condition with manifestations in the skin and in other organ systems throughout the body.1 Increasing in prevalence over the last 2 decades, the disease places tremendous burdens on patients, caregivers, and other family members.^1,2 Our evolving understanding of disease pathophysiology and widespread effects on patient health and quality of life highlight the need for prompt diagnosis and proactive management.^3,4 Moreover, research into the mechanisms underlying atopic dermatitis pathogenesis and progression has led to new approaches for disease characterization and treatment.^5,6 The goal of this eHealth Source™ activity is to educate clinicians on atopic dermatitis pathoetiology, best practices in patient evaluations, and the clinical profiles of treatment options for moderate-to-severe disease, including a biologic therapy recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). With the overall goal of improving outcomes for patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, this educational activity integrates published clinical data and the experience of expert faculty to provide actionable recommendations on individualizing care and improving patient-clinician communication.

References

1. Nutten S. Atopic dermatitis: global epidemiology and risk factors. Ann Nutr Metab. 2015:66(suppl 1):8-16.
2. Drucker AM, et al. The burden of atopic dermatitis: summary of a report for the National Eczema Association. J Invest Dermatol. 2017;137(1):26-30.
3. Eichenfield LF, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of atopic dermatitis: section 1. Diagnosis and assessment of atopic dermatitis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014;70(2):338-351.
4. Sidbury R, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of atopic dermatitis: section 3. Management and treatment with phototherapy and systemic agents. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014;71(2): 327-349.
5. Ungar B, et al. An integrated model of atopic dermatitis biomarkers highlights the systemic nature of the disease. J Invest Dermatol. 2017;137(3):603-613.
6. Simpson EL, et al. Two phase 3 trials of dupilumab versus placebo in atopic dermatitis. N Engl J Med. 2016;375(24):2335-2348.

Educational Objectives

After completing this activity, the participant will be better able to: 

• Discuss atopic dermatitis pathophysiology, focusing on clinically relevant disease mechanisms, risk factors, and novel therapeutic targets
• Comprehensively assess patients with atopic dermatitis to determine symptom severity, characterize potential phenotypes, identify comorbidities, and document treatment responses
• Describe the clinical profiles of current and emerging biologic therapies for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis
• Individualize therapy for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis to prevent outbreaks, maximize health-related quality of life, manage comorbidities, and minimize treatment-related adverse effects
• Communicate with patients and, when necessary, caregivers to improve their understanding of atopic dermatitis and secondary complications, while facilitating shared decision-making

Physician Accreditation Statement

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of Global Education Group (Global) and Integritas Communications. Global is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Physician Credit Designation

Global Education Group designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Global Contact Information

For information about the accreditation of this program, please contact Global at 303-395-1782 or cme@globaleducationgroup.com

Instructions to Receive Credit

In order to receive credit for this activity, the participant must score 70% or better on the posttest and complete the program evaluation

System Requirements

PC
Microsoft Windows 2000 SE or above.
Flash Player Plugin (v7.0.1.9 or greater)
Internet Explorer (v5.5 or greater), or Firefox
Adobe Acrobat Reader*

MAC
MAC OS 10.2.8
Flash Player Plugin (v7.0.1.9 or greater)
Safari
Adobe Acrobat Reader*
Internet Explorer is not supported on the Macintosh.

Fee Information & Refund/Cancellation Policy

There is no fee for this educational activity.

Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest

Global Education Group (Global) requires instructors, planners, managers, and other individuals and their spouses/life partners who are in a position to control the content of this activity to disclose any real or apparent conflict of interest they may have as related to the content of this activity. All identified conflicts of interest are thoroughly vetted by Global for fair balance, scientific objectivity of studies mentioned in the materials or used as the basis for content, and appropriateness of patient care recommendations.

The faculty reported the following financial relationships or relationships to products or devices they or their spouses/life partners have with commercial interests related to the content of this CME activity: 

Robert E. Kalb, MD Grant/Research Support: AbbVie Inc., Amgen Inc., Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., LEO Pharma Inc., Merck & Co., Inc., Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Honoraria: AbbVie Inc., Dermira, Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

Jeffrey M. Weinberg, MD Grant/Research Support: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

The following planners and managers reported the following financial relationships or relationships to products or devices they or their spouses/life partners have with commercial interests related to the content of this CME activity:

Karen Kaufman  Nothing to disclose
Ashley Marostica, RN, MSN  Nothing to disclose
Andrea Funk  Nothing to disclose
Laura Gilsdorf  Nothing to disclose
Jim Kappler, PhD  Nothing to disclose
Rose O'Connor, PhD  Nothing to disclose

Disclosure of Unlabeled Use

This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the FDA. Global Education Group (Global) and Integritas Communications do not recommend the use of any agent outside of the labeled indications.  

The opinions expressed in the educational activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization associated with this activity. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.

Disclaimer

Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. The information presented in this activity is not meant to serve as a guideline for patient management. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of patient conditions and possible contraindications on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommend