Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42426351›Full record

SynthesisAmerican journal of clinical dermatology2026

A Systematic Review of Factors Influencing Adult Adherence to Topical Medications in Atopic Dermatitis.

Stacey N Giuffre, Aditya Joshi, Camila R Marquez, Caitlyn B Dagenet, Lauren Gawey, Jennifer L Hsiao, Vivian Y Shi

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in American journal of clinical dermatology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Stacey N Giuffre *Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, USA.
Aditya Joshi *Department of Dermatology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA.
Camila R MarquezDepartment of Dermatology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA.
Caitlyn B DagenetUniversity of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, USA.
Lauren GaweyDepartment of Dermatology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA.
Jennifer L HsiaoDepartment of Dermatology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Vivian Y ShiDepartment of Dermatology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA. vivian.shi.publications@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7510-9428

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAtopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis requiring multifaceted treatment. Poor adherence to topical therapy hinders symptom management, highlighting the need to identify barriers influencing adherence among adults with AD.

objectiveIdentify factors influencing adherence to topical therapy among adults with AD and outline strategies to improve adherence.

methodsWe conducted a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines and with PROSPERO registration (CRD42023488557). PubMed and EMBASE were searched in December 2023 for articles with relevant terms published from 2000 to 2023, and the search was updated in April 2025. Eligible studies reported original data on adherence to topical therapy in adults with AD and findings were categorized using the World Health Organization's adherence dimensions.

resultsA total of 50 studies involving 17,124 adults across 17 countries were analyzed. Patient-related barriers included patient forgetfulness, knowledge about AD and treatment options, as well as topical corticosteroid phobia. Therapy-related factors included regimen complexity, vehicle preparation, and symptom perception. Cost and advice from family, friends, and the internet were frequent socioeconomic concerns. Healthcare system factors included clinician communication, time constraints, and inconsistent guidance. Condition-related factors including disease severity and chronicity also shaped adherence.

conclusionsTopical therapy adherence among adults with AD is influenced by several modifiable barriers including patient forgetfulness, education, treatment duration, and vehicle preparation. Future work should standardize adherence measurement tools and definitions. Proposed strategies may integrate patient-centered education, simplified regimens, reminder tools, cost reduction, and strong therapeutic relationships to support sustained adherence and improve long-term outcomes.

Indexed as

Dermatitis, AtopicDermatologic AgentsMedication AdherenceAdherence InterventionsAdministration, CutaneousAdministration, TopicalAdultHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeHumansSeverity of Illness IndexDermatologic Agents

Identifiers

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.