A 10-year open follow-up of eczema and respiratory symptoms in patients with atopic dermatitis treated with topical tacrolimus for the first 4 years.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the 10-year outcome of affected body surface area (BSA), respiratory symptoms, and serum IgE in adult AD patients 6 years after a 4-year intervention with topical tacrolimus.

METHODS

Patients who 10 years ago participated in a 4-year, open tacrolimus study (n = 65) were contacted for assessment of affected BSA, bronchial hyper-reactivity (BHR), respiratory symptoms, skin prick tests and serum IgE.

RESULTS

Altogether, 50 (77%) patients attended the follow-up visit. The median affected BSA decreased from 19% to 1.6% during the 10-year follow-up (p < 0.0001). Patients with active asthma and rhinitis symptoms at baseline reported a significant decrease at the follow-up (p = 0.02 andp = 0.01). In patients with BHR at baseline, the provocative dose of inhaled histamine producing a 15% decrease in FEV(1) increased. Responders (>or= 60% improvement of affected BSA) to tacrolimus treatment at the 1-year visit had a significantly smaller affected BSA at the 4- and 10-year visits than non-responders (< 60% improvement). Responders also showed a significant decrease in serum IgE at the follow-up visit compared to baseline (p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

The long-term, effective treatment of patients with AD may have a beneficial effect on affected BSA, respiratory symptoms, and serum IgE.