OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence and severity of AD in adults from countries/regions within Asia, Eurasia, Latin America, Middle East, and Russia.
METHODS: This international, web-based survey was performed in Argentina, Brazil, China, Colombia, Egypt, Hong Kong, Israel, Malaysia, Mexico, Russia, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates. Questionnaires were sent to adult members of online respondent panels for determination of AD and assessment of severity. A diagnosis of AD required respondents to meet the modified United Kingdom (UK) Working Party criteria and to self-report they had a physician diagnosis of AD. Severity of AD was determined using Patient-Oriented Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis (PO-SCORAD), Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM), and Patient Global Assessment (PGA).
RESULTS: Among respondents by country/region the prevalence of AD ranged from 3.4% in Israel to 33.7% in Thailand. The prevalence was generally higher in females versus males. Severity varied by scale, although regardless of scale the proportion of respondents with mild and moderate disease was higher than severe disease. PGA consistently resulted in the lowest proportion of severe AD (range 2.4% China - 10.8% Turkey) relative to PO-SCORAD (range 13.4% China - 41.6% KSA) and POEM (range 5.1% China - 16.6% Israel).
CONCLUSIONS: This survey highlights the importance of AD in adults, with high prevalence and high morbidity among respondents and emphasizes that AD is not just a disease of childhood-there is disease persistence and chronicity in adults.
METHODS: Expert recommendations on the diagnosis, management, surgical and post-operative considerations for TGDC were established through a multi-iterative Delphi-consensus survey of pediatric otolaryngologists.
RESULTS: The survey participants included 33 pediatric otolaryngologists from 18 different countries. The consensus recommendations are as follows: 1) ultrasound is the preferred diagnostic imaging modality, with cross-sectional imaging considered in the setting of an uncertain or complicated clinical presentation; 2) an open trans-cervical approach with removal of the central hyoid bone; 3) intra- and post-operative administration of antibiotics in the setting of active TGDC infection; 4) post-operative admission in patients with comorbidities or if a drain is employed.
CONCLUSION: Consensus was achieved for several diagnostic and surgical considerations in the management of children with TGDC. As there remains variability in opinion on other aspects of management, clinicians may need to provide a nuanced approach in the context of individual patient factors and institutional circumstances.