Gabriel Aedo-Inostroza, Departamento de Dermatología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
Roberto R. Betancourt, Departamento de Dermatología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
Diego Aragón-Caqueo, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad de Tarapacá, Arica, Chile
Emma Krögh, Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
Camilo Urzúa-Álvarez, Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
María A. Macías-Eslava, Departamento de Dermatología Pediátrica, Rama de Dermatología, Sociedad Chilena de Pediatría, Santiago, Chile
Rodrigo L. Muñoz, Especialidad en Dermatología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic pruritic dermatosis. Although the classic presentation occurs in childhood, it can also occur in the adult population. Recently, different presentations of this pathology have been identified based on immune profile and race. Thus, clinical, molecular and genetic differences between white, Asian and African-American populations have been described. Atopic dermatitis is a heterogeneous and multifactorial disease that develops through the interaction of susceptible genes, environmental factors, skin barrier disruption and immune alterations. The pathophysiology of atopic dermatitis is based on an immune response that leads to the production of immunoglobulin E and inflammatory cells that damage the skin barrier. This determines an itch-scratch cycle that perpetuates this dermatosis. This article provides an update of immunological and pathophysiological knowledge on atopic dermatitis, taking into account that a better mastery of these topics can have repercussions in generating better therapeutic strategies for patients affected by this pathology.
Keywords: Dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis. Pathophysiology. Phenotypes. Immunology.