This study was designed to assess the adherence to evidence-based guidelines of care for atopic dermatitis (AD).

To characterize AD treatment in the United States, ambulatory visits from the 2006-2015 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey were analyzed. For each medication prescribed, a grade was assigned on the basis of the American Academy of Dermatology treatment guidelines for topical and systemic medications. Considering all visit prescriptions, I calculated a composite grade, analogous to the US academic grading system (scores A-F).

I noted prescribing differences across specialty groups. Systemic corticosteroids were more likely to be prescribed by family and general physicians and less likely by pediatricians. Dermatologists were more likely than other specialties to prescribe nonsedating antihistamines, which lack a guideline base supporting their use. Depending upon modeling of care assumptions, all physician specialty visits earned mean guideline-based grades of B or C in their care of AD patients.

The clinical, social, and demographic factors influencing prescribing behavior cannot be completely assessed by using extant data.

This preliminary study demonstrates that physicians might benefit from reviewing guidelines of care; there might be an educational gap in the implementation of these guidelines.