Korean J Dermatol.  2010 Aug;48(8):649-656.

Difference in the Prevalence Rate according to Diagnostic Criteria in Atopic Dermatitis: Prevalence Rate of Atopic Dermatitis according to Hanifin-Rajka, Japanese, Korean Diagnostic Criteria and Characteristics of Three Different Diagnostic Criteria

• Kim JY
• Lim HJ
• Kim HY
• Lee WK
• Kim BS
• Lee WJ
• Lee SJ
• Kim DW

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Although surveys on the prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) have been carried out worldwide, the results vary widely. The differences were probably due to the use of different diagnostic criteria.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the differences in prevalence and characteristics of AD according to various diagnostic criteria.
METHODS
The criteria of Hanifin and Rajka, Japanese Dermatological Association (JDA) and Korean AD diagnostic criteria were applied and compared in 733 children, aged from 3 to 6 years. Survey using questionnaires was conducted on their parents. Using these data, more precise analysis was performed about the differences in prevalence and their leading factors.
RESULTS
The prevalence rates of AD (number of the patients) were 7.9% (58/733), 8.0% (59/733), 11.2% (82/733) from Korean AD, JDA, Hanifin and Rajka diagnostic criteria, respectively. The number of children simultaneously diagnosed with AD in all three criteria was 45. According to our study, the lowest prevalence rate recorded by the Korean AD diagnostic criteria may be due to absence of the major features of "chronic relapsing dermatitis" (Youden's J index: 0.80) and the minor features of "onset of early age" (Youden's J index: 0.60).
CONCLUSION
Through careful analysis of various AD diagnostic features, we demonstrated some diagnostically significant clinical features of AD that determine difference in prevalence. These results may be applicable in the revision of Korean AD diagnostic criteria to enable more accurate and practical diagnosis of AD in the near future.

Keyword

Atopic dermatitis; Diagnostic criteria; Prevalence

MeSH Terms

Aged
Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Child
Dermatitis, Atopic
Humans
Parents
Prevalence
Surveys and Questionnaires