ABSTRACT
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory disease clinically characterized by marked pruritus, which typically assumes a chronic, relapsing course. AD affects 10% to 20% of the current U.S. population (1). In Asian populations, the incidence of AD exceeds 50% (2). Although AD is primarily a childhood disease, 60% to 70% of adults with AD suffer from more localized disease manifestations, such as hand eczema. The past three decades have witnessed a marked rise in the prevalence of atopic diseases in industrialized countries, and urban centers in less developed regions. This has led to an intense search for etiological factors that may explain such a pattern. A precise understanding of the genetic background and the disease pathophysiology is crucial to the development of effective treatment strategies for AD. An impaired stratum corneum (SC) and barrier function may be important for the pathophysiology of AD.
