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Jon M Hanifin

Publications and source records attributed to Jon M Hanifin.

21 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Patient and physician perspectives vary on atopic dermatitis.

We compared the written responses of physicians (n=303) and patients (n=961) from a nationwide US survey concerning atopic dermatitis (AD). Physicians, primarily dermatologists, responded to 32 questions, and patients responded to 44 questions about AD and its management. Most physicians and patients were in agreement regarding disease severity, the relative lack of effectiveness of over-the-counter products, concerns about drug adverse effects, and the need for more patient support groups. However, physicians were more concerned about long-term adverse effects than were patients. Additionally, 91% of physicians versus 46% of patients rated prescription medications as "moderately" or "very" effective. Patients were generally pleased with their overall AD-related medical care: 42% were "a lot" or "very" satisfied, while only 8% were dissatisfied. Although physician and patient perceptions sometimes differed, both groups preferred treatments offering greater effectiveness, fewer adverse effects, and greater applicability to the pediatric population.

Adolescent↗

Patterns of care and referral in children with atopic dermatitis and concern for food allergy.

Although many providers believe that up to 30% of atopic dermatitis (AD) is food induced, food challenge studies show that food-induced eczematous reactions are rare. When food allergy is suggested to cause AD, it often leads to allergy testing with a high false-positivity rate, in turn further focusing parents on food allergy. Study subjects were children less than 11 years old with AD and food allergy suspicion. Prior diagnoses, provider, and testing patterns were assessed by questionnaire given to the parents. Thirty-eight patients with AD were enrolled. Most subject's parents suspected food allergy induced AD. Initial skin diagnoses were made by pediatricians (79%) and family practitioners (18%) as eczema. Allergy was suggested by providers as cause for AD in 63% of the present study's patients. Seventy-nine percent had allergy testing. Greater than 90% of parents claimed their children had food allergy and food-induced AD. Sixty-six percent had positive food allergy tests and 37% had definite history of immediate IgE reactions to food. The majority of this population had allergy suggested as causative for eczema by their primary care provider and were subsequently evaluated by allergist and allergy testing. Consensus about the role of food allergy between the different providers of AD in children would result in more effective, efficient, and less costly health care.

Child Welfare↗

Does food allergy cause atopic dermatitis? Food challenge testing to dissociate eczematous from immediate reactions.

The objective is to evaluate and diagnose, in a controlled setting, suspected food allergy causation in patients hospitalized for management of severe, unremitting atopic dermatitis (AD). Nineteen children were hospitalized at Oregon Health and Science University with atopic dermatitis from 1986 to 2003 for food restriction, then challenge, following standard recommendations. Challenges were prioritized by categories of (a) critical foods (e.g., milk, wheat, egg, soy); (b) important foods; and (c) other suspected foods. Patients were closely observed for evidence of pruritus, eczematous responses, or IgE-mediated reactions. If results were inconsistent, double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge was performed. A total of 17 children with atopic dermatitis were assessed. Two could not be fully evaluated, thus were excluded from data tabulations. Only one positive eczematous food response was observed of 58 challenges. Three children had well-documented histories of food-induced IgE-mediated anaphylactoid or urticaria reactions to seafood and/or nuts and were not challenged with those foods. Atopic dermatitis, even in the highest-risk patients, is rarely induced by foods. Undocumented assumptions of food causation detract from proper anti-inflammatory management and should be discouraged. Immediate IgE-mediated food reactions are common in atopic dermatitis patients; such reactions are rapid onset, typically detected outside the clinic, and must be distinguished from eczematous reactions. Diagnosis of food-induced eczema cannot be made without food challenge testing. Such tests can be practical and useful for dispelling unrealistic assumptions about food allergy causation of atopic dermatitis.

Adolescent↗