Eucrisa for Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic Dermatitis (AD) affects between 10% and 30% of all children, making it one of the most common childhood diseases. Recent epidemiological studies report a trend toward the increasing prevalence of AD in children. Symptoms of AD include dry, scaly, and intensely itchy skin. A number of treatments are available for these patients. Topical corticosteroids are commonly prescribed. Topical immunomodulators without the potential for steroid atrophy are also used. A non-steroidal topical, Eucrisa (crisaborole) ointment, is specifically indicated for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis and was approved for marketing in the U.S. for the treatment atopic dermatitis in December 2016. The 2% ointment is approved for use in patients ages 2 and older. Unfortunately, many people with atopic dermatitis do not adequately respond to topical treatment. It is widely recognized that adherence to oral medications is poor. Adherence to medication in chronic disease is worse. Adherence to topical medication for chronic disease in children is horrible. In a previous study, the investigator found that the adherence of children to topical triamcinolone for atopic dermatitis was poor. Adherence dropped by roughly 60-70% over the first 3 days of treatment. While that study analyzed adherence over 8 weeks, the long-term adherence to topical treatment in patients with atopic dermatitis is not well characterized. Measures to improve adherence have the potential to improve treatment outcomes. Adherence to topical treatment tends to improve around the time of office visits (so called, "white coat compliance"), much as tooth flossing behavior improves around the time of dental visits. Standard-of-care treatment of atopic dermatitis generally involves having patients return in roughly 4 weeks to assess treatment efficacy. Clinical trials generally have more frequent visits. The investigator's recent studies have suggested that adherence may be improved with virtual medical visits, alleviating the need for more frequent in-person office visits that can be costly and negatively impact access to care.