A pilot study compared topical steroid withdrawal (TSW) with atopic dermatitis (AD), finding objective diagnostic criteria to differentiate TSW from AD. Patients with TSW experienced persistent symptoms even after discontinuing topical corticosteroid use, with symptoms lasting over 3 years in 25% of cases. Multiomics analysis revealed increased NAD⁺ oxidation and mitochondrial complex I overexpression in TSW patients. Open-label treatment with complex I inhibitors showed subjective symptom improvement. The study proposed preliminary diagnostic criteria based on symptom prevalence, emphasizing the need for further investigation into TSW.

Source: Journal of Investigative Dermatology