APADtf
Asia-Pacific Atopic Dermatitis Task Force

Mission

To develop region-specific guidelines for the management and treatment of Atopic Dermatitis (AD) that accurately reflect the unique cultural, environmental, and genetic factors influencing the disease within Asian-Pacific populations.

Founding Context

The initial meeting on December 1, 2025, underscored a critical need: existing global AD guidelines often fail to fully account for the diverse presentations, co-morbidities (such as the overlap with psoriasis in the Asian context), and specific treatment challenges faced by patients in Asia. The task force was formed to fill this critical gap and improve patient care across the region.

1. Guideline Development and Structure

• Comprehensive Review:
  Systematically review existing global literature and region-specific publications on AD and pediatric dermatology to establish a baseline of evidence.
• Structure:
  The final guidelines will be structured to cover the entire patient journey, including:
  • Prevention
  • Diagnosis
  • Treatment (including pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic modalities)
  • Recurrence Prevention
• Highlighting Peculiarities:
  Specifically address and integrate findings related to the unique manifestations of AD in Asian patients, including genetic variations and co-existing conditions (e.g., the AD-psoriasis overlap).

2. Regional Data Collection and Consensus

• Delphi Surveys:
  Utilize Delphi survey methodology to systematically gather, refine, and achieve consensus on expert opinions from a broad panel of clinicians and researchers across various Asia-Pacific countries.
• Expert Expansion:
  The task force is actively expanding its membership beyond the founding members to include representatives from a wider array of Asian nations (e.g., Thailand, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Dubai, and Kuwait). This ensures the guidelines are truly representative of the diverse region.

3. Collaborative Framework and Dissemination

• Collaboration:
  Divide the guideline drafting work among various sub-groups, ensuring balanced representation and contribution from different countries.
• Communication Platform:
  Establish a dedicated mini-website and collaborative tools to streamline communication, share relevant literature (mini-library), and manage the workflow of the guideline development process.

Month	Phase
1-4	Foundation Structuring the group and splitting tasks.
2-7	Evidence Gathering Systematic literature review; Evidence grading (deadline?).
8-9	Delphi Round 1 First round of anonymous voting on draft recommendations.
October 2026	Workshop in Beijing during Rajka-ISAD 2026 Analysis of consensus/divergence.
11	Delphi Round 2 Discussion of "grey areas" where consensus was low ($<70\%$) and second round of voting.
12-01 (2027)	Drafting Harmonizing sub-group reports into one voice; Steering Committee review.
2	External Review Peer review by independent experts and patient advocacy groups.
3	Finalization Final edits and submission to journals.

steering committee

• Yousef BINAMER, Saudi Arabia
• 朱家瑜 (Chia-Yu CHU), Taiwan
• Abhishek DE, India
• Sandipan DHAR, India
• Li-Chuen WONG, Australia

writing group

• Abhishek DE, India
• Lin MA, China

clinical contribution

• Sandipan DHAR, India
• Marivi DIZON, Philippines
• Arti NANDA, Kuwait

evidence review

• Smita JOSHI, Nepal
• Ajith KANNANGARA, Sri Lanka
• 이동훈 (Dong Hun LEE), South Korea
• Lin MA, China

atopic dermatitis severity

• Atlal ALLAFI, Kuwait
• Sandipan DHAR, India
• 이동훈 (Dong Hun LEE), South Korea
• Lin MA, China
• Saeko NAKAJIMA, Japan

dietary habits

• Sandipan DHAR, India
• Smita JOSHI, Nepal
• Ajith KANNANGARA, Sri Lanka

comorbidities

• Yousef BINAMER, Saudi Arabia
• 朱家瑜 (Chia-Yu CHU), Taiwan
• 이지현 (Ji Hyun LEE), South Korea
• Li-Chuen WONG, Australia

paediatric

• Smita JOSHI, Nepal
• Arti NANDA, Kuwait
• Li-Chuen WONG, Australia

non classical atopic dermatitis

• Smita JOSHI, Nepal
• John Chit SU, Australia

epidemiology of atopic dermatitis

• Atlal ALLAFI, Kuwait
• John Chit SU, Australia
• Yong Kwang TAY, Singapore

Other Members

• Aisha AL ALI, Oman
• Eung Ho CHOI, South Korea
• Anil Kumar JHA, Nepal
• Kin Fon LEONG, Malaysia
• Wilsie SALAS-WALINSUNDIN, Philippines
• 王华 (Hua WANG), China

➜ Scope