[Disease management guidelines in dermatology: implementation, potentials and limitations exemplified by the guidelines for the management of hand eczema].

In Germany, the "Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Wissenschaftlichen Medizinischen Fachgesellschaften" (AWMF; consortium of scientific medical societies) constitutes the umbrella organisation to conceive, evaluate, and release guidelines. There are 3 stages of development (S1-S3) according to the evidence level and the process of consensus finding. Currently, 59 dermatologic guidelines have been published under the auspices of the Deutsche Dermatologische Gesellschaft (German Dermatological Society). The guideline for the management of hand dermatitis (AWMF-Register-No: 013/053) is an instructive recent example. This guideline clearly demonstrates the benefits of guidelines, i.e. standardized definition of heterogeneous diseases and disease severity as well as standardized therapy algorithms. This is especially important in diseases difficult-to-treat like chronic hand dermatitis. The effective implementation of guidelines with early incorporation of new therapies, for example alitretinoin in the therapy of hand dermatitis, can considerably improve the quality of life of patients.