Ramírez-Quevedo et al. (2026)
Abstract
Introduction: Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, recurrent, and heterogeneous inflammatory
dermatosis that requires a stepwise approach to treatment based on severity, extent, age, clinical
phenotype, and previous response. Objective: To synthesize the current clinical evidence on the
stepwise treatment of atopic dermatitis in children and adults. Methods: A qualitative systematic
review was conducted, reported according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines. PubMed/MEDLINE was
searched, and targeted manual searches of relevant guidelines and references were performed
up to March 16, 2026. Evidence-based guidelines, systematic reviews, network meta-analyses,
randomized controlled trials, and long-term extension studies focused on emollients, topical
corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, crisaborole, topical ruxolitinib, phototherapy, dupilumab,
tralokinumab, abrocitinib, baricitinib, upadacitinib, and conventional systemic immunomodulatory
therapies were included. Results: Of 51 initial records, 45 were screened after removing
duplicates; 35 full texts were appraised, and 29 studies were integrated into the qualitative
synthesis. The evidence supports that all patients should begin treatment with therapy education,
intensive hydration, and trigger control. In mild disease, topical corticosteroids remain the
mainstay of rescue therapy, and calcineurin inhibitors, crisaborole, or ruxolitinib are steroid-
sparing alternatives in sensitive areas or localized mild to moderate disease. In moderate or
recurrent disease, proactive therapy with topical corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors, wet-wrap
therapy, and narrowband UVB phototherapy are validated options. In moderate to severe
refractory disease, dupilumab and tralokinumab show a favorable benefit-risk profile; oral JAK
inhibitors offer rapid responses and, in some scenarios, greater efficacy, although with a greater
safety burden. Conventional systemic therapies retain a selective role, while systemic
corticosteroids should not be used routinely. Conclusions: The most consistent stepwise
approach begins with universal basic therapy, intensifies topical treatment according to disease
activity, and reserves targeted systemic therapies for moderate to severe or refractory cases.
Dupilumab is the systemic option with the most robust pediatric and adult support, while JAK
inhibitors are effective alternatives in selected adolescents and adults under close monitoring.
Keywords: atopic dermatitis; eczema; stepped therapy; children; adults; PRISMA 2020; biologic
therapies; JAK inhibitors.
individualizar el tratamiento dentro
1
. Introducción
de un marco escalonado y dinámico
1-5].
La dermatitis atópica (DA) es una
enfermedad inflamatoria crónica de
la piel caracterizada por prurito,
xerosis, disfunción de la barrera
cutánea, brotes recurrentes y una
carga sustancial sobre el sueño, el
rendimiento escolar o laboral y la
calidad de vida. Su presentación
clínica varía con la edad, la
extensión del compromiso cutáneo,
la intensidad de la inflamación y la
[
En clínica
contemporánea, el manejo de la DA
ya no puede reducirse la
la
práctica
a
prescripción episódica de corticoides
tópicos. Las guías recientes insisten
en un enfoque integral que comienza
con educación, restauración de la
barrera,
reconocimiento
de
y
desencadenantes, adherencia
terapia tópica apropiada, y que
progresa hacia fototerapia,
presencia
atópicas,
de
lo
comorbilidades
que obliga
a
5
56