Preface. Atopic dermatitis.

摘要

Since the last issue of Immunology and Allergy Clinics of North America devoted to atopic dermatitis was published in 2002, a number of important observations have been made regarding our understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of this disease and new approaches, including a change in the treatment paradigm, have emerged based on these insights. I am pleased that the Consulting Editor, Dr Rafeul Alam, has identified atopic dermatitis as an important disease worthy of a timely review devoted to these advances and I am honored to once again serve as Editor for the Atopic Dermatitis issue. I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the distinguished group of authors who generously agreed to share their expertise and valuable time in contributing to these state-of-the-art reviews. These internationally recognized experts address a diverse range of relevant topics including epidemiology, triggers and confounding problems, basic and clinical research, therapeutic approaches, as well as education of patients and caregivers.