Predictors of treatment success in children with difficult to treat atopic dermatitis using a personalized integrative multidisciplinary (PIM) treatment programme

Background: A 6-week personalized integrative multidisciplinary treatment programme (PIM) was developed for children with difficult to treat AD who appeared unresponsive to treatment according to current guidelines. Objective: The aim of the present study was to identify clinical and psychosocial characteristics that predict long-term treatment success after PIM. Methods: Treatment was considered successful when there was a 75% reduction on the Self-Administered Eczema Area and Severity Index and/or little impact of AD on daily life, measured with the Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (score ≤ 6), 6 months after the end of PIM. PIM is a personalized, integrative, multidisciplinary treatment programme with clearly defined goals and strategies, addressing atopic, paediatric, mental health comorbidities and general well-being, for children and adolescents aged 8- to 18 years. Multivariate logistic regression models were constructed using a backward selection procedure. Questionnaires were used to assess psychosocial characteristics; clinical data was extracted from medical records. Results: In total, 79 children/adolescents with difficult to treat AD completed PIM and long-term treatment results were available for 74 children/adolescents. The majority (77%) of children/adolescents demonstrated long-term treatment success with PIM. Predictors of long-term treatment success (adjusted ORs) included maternal disease acceptance OR (95% CI) 1.84 (1.15–2.94). A group (23%) of mostly females OR (95% CI) 0.10 (0.02–0.54) with multiple somatic complaints OR (95% CI) 0.88(0.80–0.97), from families where the mother has anxiety for the use of topical corticosteroids OR (95% CI) 0.62(0.40–0.94), is less likely to obtain long-term treatment success. Conclusion: Most children and adolescents with difficult to treat AD, seemingly unresponsive to conventional treatment according to current guidelines, are able to improve with PIM. Psychosocial and family but not clinical variables, predicted long-term treatment success after participating in PIM.