Beyond Scratching the Surface: Evolving Management Strategies for Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis

Educational Objectives
After completing this activity, the participant should be better able to:

- Discuss atopic dermatitis pathophysiology, focusing on clinically relevant disease mechanisms, risk factors, and novel therapeutic targets
- Comprehensively assess patients with atopic dermatitis to determine symptom severity, characterize potential phenotypes, identify comorbidities, and document treatment responses
- Describe the clinical profiles of current and emerging biologic therapies for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis
- Individualize therapy for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis to prevent outbreaks, maximize health-related quality of life, manage comorbidities, and minimize treatment-related adverse effects
- Communicate with patients and, when necessary, caregivers to improve their understanding of atopic dermatitis and secondary complications, while facilitating shared decision-making

Target Audience
The educational design of this activity addresses the needs of dermatologists and other healthcare professionals involved in the treatment of patients with atopic dermatitis.

Statement of Need/Program Overview
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory condition with manifestations in the skin and other organ systems throughout the body.1 Increasing in prevalence over the last 2 decades, the disease places tremendous burdens on adult, adolescent, and pediatric patients, as well as family members and caregivers.1,2 A better understanding of disease pathophysiology and effects on patient health and quality of life highlight the need for prompt diagnosis and proactive management.3,4 Moreover, research into the mechanisms underlying atopic dermatitis pathogenesis and progression supports the development of new approaches to disease characterization, ongoing patient monitoring, and treatment.5,6 During this Evidence-Based Best Practices program, expert faculty will discuss clinically relevant disease pathophysiology; comprehensive patient evaluations; the efficacy and safety of current therapies for moderate-to-severe disease; and the latest evidence for emerging biologic agents. With the overall goal of improving outcomes for patients with active atopic dermatitis, the program will integrate clinical data and professional experience into actionable recommendations that can be used to individualize care and improve patient-clinician communication.

Physician Accreditation Statement
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of Global Education Group (Global) and Integritas Communications. Global is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Physician Credit Designation
Global Education Group designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Global Contact Information
For information about the accreditation of this program, please contact Global at 303-395-1782 or cme@globaleducationgroup.com.

Instructions to Receive Credit
In order to receive credit for this activity, the participant must score a 70% or better on the posttest.

System Requirements
PC
Microsoft Windows 2000 SE or above.
Flash Player Plugin (v7.0.1.9 or greater)
Internet Explorer (v5.5 or greater), or Firefox
Adobe Acrobat Reader*

MAC
MAC OS 10.2.8
Flash Player Plugin (v7.0.1.9 or greater)
Safari
Adobe Acrobat Reader*
Internet Explorer is not supported on the Macintosh.

Fee Information & Refund/Cancellation Policy
There is no fee for this educational activity.

Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest
Global Education Group (Global) requires instructors, planners, managers, and other individuals and their spouses/life partners who are in a position to control the content of this activity to disclose any real or apparent conflict of interest they may have as related to the content of this activity.

The faculty reported the following financial relationships or relationships to products or devices they or their spouses/life partners have with commercial interests related to the content of this CME activity:

Jeffrey M. Weinberg, MD: Grant/Research Support: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Lawrence F. Eichenfield, MD:Consultant/Independent Contractor: Anacor Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Eli Lilly and Company; Genentech, Inc.; Medimetriks Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc.; Pfizer Inc.; Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC.; Top MD, Inc.; Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. Grant/Research Support: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC.

Howard Sofen, MD: Consultant/Independent Contractor: Celgene Corporation; Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Roche Laboratories, Inc.Grant/Research Support: AbbVie Inc.; AstraZeneca; Celgene Corporation; DermAvance Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc.; Incyte Corporation; Pfizer Inc.; Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Roche Laboratories, Inc. Honoraria: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Speakers Bureau: Genentech, Inc.; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.

The planners and managers reported the following financial relationships or relationships to products or devices they or their spouse/life partner have with commercial interests related to the content of this CME activity:

Lindsay Scott Nothing to disclose
Andrea Funk Nothing to disclose
Laura Gilsdorf Nothing to disclose
Jim Kappler, PhD Nothing to disclose
Rose O’Connor, PhD Nothing to disclose

Disclosure of Unlabeled Use
This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the FDA. Global Education Group (Global) and Integritas Communications do not recommend the use of any agent outside of the labeled indications.

The opinions expressed in the educational activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization associated with this activity. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.

Disclaimer
Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. The information presented in this activity is not meant to serve as a guideline for patient management. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of patient conditions and possible contraindications on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities.