Atopic dermatitis in skin of colour. Part 2: considerations in clinical presentation and treatment options

Abstract

Recent advances in atopic dermatitis (AD) present the condition as a heterogenous disease of distinct endotypes across ethnic groups. AD in people with skin of colour may appear psoriasiform, lichenoid, scaly, or papular, with a violaceous colour and there is a higher prevalence of post-inflammatory dyspigmentation compared to affected individuals of Caucasian ethnicity. These differences in clinical presentation may limit the use of AD assessment tools in people with skin of colour, leading to potential for misdiagnosis and underestimation of severity, particularly in relation to assessment of erythema. Recent targeted therapies for AD have been studied in multiple ethnic groups, however ethnicity-based subgroup analysis is often not performed. Further research is required to understand whether treatment responses or safety may differ among ethnic groups.