MDedge Dermatology

Key clinical point: Children and adolescents with atopic dermatitis (AD) are at an increased risk of developing juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

Major finding: Patients with AD vs control individuals had an increased risk for JIA (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.58; 95% CI 1.41-1.77), especially for psoriatic JIA (aOR 2.75; 95% CI 1.64-4.60).

Study details: This population-based register study included 70,584 patients with AD aged <18 years at the time of the first AD diagnosis and 270,783 age- and sex-matched control individuals without AD.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. Some authors declared serving as investigators for or receiving educational grants, speaker honoraria, or consultation honoraria from various organizations.

Source: Keskitalo PL et al. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children and adolescents with atopic dermatitis: A Finnish nationwide registry study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2023 (Jan 3). Doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2022.12.025

Key clinical point: Children and adolescents with atopic dermatitis (AD) are at an increased risk of developing juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

Major finding: Patients with AD vs control individuals had an increased risk for JIA (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.58; 95% CI 1.41-1.77), especially for psoriatic JIA (aOR 2.75; 95% CI 1.64-4.60).

Study details: This population-based register study included 70,584 patients with AD aged <18 years at the time of the first AD diagnosis and 270,783 age- and sex-matched control individuals without AD.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. Some authors declared serving as investigators for or receiving educational grants, speaker honoraria, or consultation honoraria from various organizations.

Source: Keskitalo PL et al. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children and adolescents with atopic dermatitis: A Finnish nationwide registry study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2023 (Jan 3). Doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2022.12.025

Key clinical point: Children and adolescents with atopic dermatitis (AD) are at an increased risk of developing juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

Major finding: Patients with AD vs control individuals had an increased risk for JIA (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.58; 95% CI 1.41-1.77), especially for psoriatic JIA (aOR 2.75; 95% CI 1.64-4.60).

Study details: This population-based register study included 70,584 patients with AD aged <18 years at the time of the first AD diagnosis and 270,783 age- and sex-matched control individuals without AD.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. Some authors declared serving as investigators for or receiving educational grants, speaker honoraria, or consultation honoraria from various organizations.

Source: Keskitalo PL et al. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children and adolescents with atopic dermatitis: A Finnish nationwide registry study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2023 (Jan 3). Doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2022.12.025

Key clinical point: Treatment of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) with dupilumab is not associated with the development of primary or recurrent malignancy.

Major finding: Dupilumab-exposed and unexposed patients had comparable incidence rates of primary malignancies (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.010; P  =  .946), keratinocyte cancers (aHR, 0.994; P  =  .973), and recurrent cancers (aHR, 0.828; P  =  .758) per 1,000 person-years.

Study details: This single-center 5-year retrospective study included 9,707 patients with AD, of which 1,627 patients received dupilumab treatment.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. Some authors declared serving as consultants for and/or receiving research funds from various organizations.

Source: Owji S et al. No association between dupilumab use and short-term cancer development in atopic dermatitis patients. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2022 (Dec 26). Doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2022.12.018.

Key clinical point: Treatment of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) with dupilumab is not associated with the development of primary or recurrent malignancy.

Major finding: Dupilumab-exposed and unexposed patients had comparable incidence rates of primary malignancies (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.010; P  =  .946), keratinocyte cancers (aHR, 0.994; P  =  .973), and recurrent cancers (aHR, 0.828; P  =  .758) per 1,000 person-years.

Study details: This single-center 5-year retrospective study included 9,707 patients with AD, of which 1,627 patients received dupilumab treatment.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. Some authors declared serving as consultants for and/or receiving research funds from various organizations.

Source: Owji S et al. No association between dupilumab use and short-term cancer development in atopic dermatitis patients. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2022 (Dec 26). Doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2022.12.018.

Key clinical point: Treatment of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) with dupilumab is not associated with the development of primary or recurrent malignancy.

Major finding: Dupilumab-exposed and unexposed patients had comparable incidence rates of primary malignancies (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.010; P  =  .946), keratinocyte cancers (aHR, 0.994; P  =  .973), and recurrent cancers (aHR, 0.828; P  =  .758) per 1,000 person-years.

Study details: This single-center 5-year retrospective study included 9,707 patients with AD, of which 1,627 patients received dupilumab treatment.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. Some authors declared serving as consultants for and/or receiving research funds from various organizations.

Source: Owji S et al. No association between dupilumab use and short-term cancer development in atopic dermatitis patients. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2022 (Dec 26). Doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2022.12.018.

Key clinical point: Fatigue is a common symptom in children with atopic dermatitis (AD), particularly those with moderate-to-severe AD, and thus should be considered in clinical practice and trials.

Major finding: Most children had no (38.6%) or mild (32.1%) parent-proxy fatigue, but 27.2% had moderate fatigue and 2.0% had severe fatigue. Higher proportions of children with moderate-to-severe parent-proxy Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System Pediatric fatigue scores were those with moderate (25.7%/1.4%) and severe (39.3%/5.4%) AD vs mild AD (18.0%/0.0%), as determined by Investigator’s Global Assessment, especially those with 5-6 (44.4%/0.0%) or 7 (44.2%/5.2%) nights of sleep disturbance from eczema.

Study details: This cross-sectional observational study included 248 children aged 0-17 years with AD.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the US National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Rangel SM et al. Prevalence and associations of fatigue in childhood atopic dermatitis: A cross-sectional study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2022 (Dec 21). Doi: 10.1111/jdv.18819

Key clinical point: Fatigue is a common symptom in children with atopic dermatitis (AD), particularly those with moderate-to-severe AD, and thus should be considered in clinical practice and trials.

Major finding: Most children had no (38.6%) or mild (32.1%) parent-proxy fatigue, but 27.2% had moderate fatigue and 2.0% had severe fatigue. Higher proportions of children with moderate-to-severe parent-proxy Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System Pediatric fatigue scores were those with moderate (25.7%/1.4%) and severe (39.3%/5.4%) AD vs mild AD (18.0%/0.0%), as determined by Investigator’s Global Assessment, especially those with 5-6 (44.4%/0.0%) or 7 (44.2%/5.2%) nights of sleep disturbance from eczema.

Study details: This cross-sectional observational study included 248 children aged 0-17 years with AD.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the US National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Rangel SM et al. Prevalence and associations of fatigue in childhood atopic dermatitis: A cross-sectional study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2022 (Dec 21). Doi: 10.1111/jdv.18819

Key clinical point: Fatigue is a common symptom in children with atopic dermatitis (AD), particularly those with moderate-to-severe AD, and thus should be considered in clinical practice and trials.

Major finding: Most children had no (38.6%) or mild (32.1%) parent-proxy fatigue, but 27.2% had moderate fatigue and 2.0% had severe fatigue. Higher proportions of children with moderate-to-severe parent-proxy Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System Pediatric fatigue scores were those with moderate (25.7%/1.4%) and severe (39.3%/5.4%) AD vs mild AD (18.0%/0.0%), as determined by Investigator’s Global Assessment, especially those with 5-6 (44.4%/0.0%) or 7 (44.2%/5.2%) nights of sleep disturbance from eczema.

Study details: This cross-sectional observational study included 248 children aged 0-17 years with AD.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the US National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Rangel SM et al. Prevalence and associations of fatigue in childhood atopic dermatitis: A cross-sectional study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2022 (Dec 21). Doi: 10.1111/jdv.18819

Key clinical point: Dupilumab maintained efficacy against moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) with no new safety signals over 104 weeks; however, it was ineffective in treating head-and-neck AD.

Major finding: The median Eczema Area and Severity Index score decreased significantly from 18.0 at baseline to 2.0 at week 52 and 1.7 at week 104 (both P < .0001); 35% of patients reported an adverse event, with conjunctivitis being the most common (25%). Although the 104-week treatment persistence rate was 86%, the majority of patients still had AD in the head-and-neck area.

Study details: This real-world study included 347 adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD who received dupilumab and were registered in the prospective Severe and ChRonic Atopic dermatitis Treatment CoHort (SCRATCH) registry during 2017-2022.

Disclosures: The SCRATCH registry was supported by research grants from Sanofi-Genzyme and Pfizer. Some authors reported ties with various organizations, including Sanofi-Genzyme and Pfizer.

Source: Vittrup I et al. A nationwide 104 weeks real-world study of dupilumab in adults with atopic dermatitis: Ineffectiveness in head-and-neck dermatitis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2023 (Jan 6). Doi: 10.1111/jdv.18849

Key clinical point: Dupilumab maintained efficacy against moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) with no new safety signals over 104 weeks; however, it was ineffective in treating head-and-neck AD.

Major finding: The median Eczema Area and Severity Index score decreased significantly from 18.0 at baseline to 2.0 at week 52 and 1.7 at week 104 (both P < .0001); 35% of patients reported an adverse event, with conjunctivitis being the most common (25%). Although the 104-week treatment persistence rate was 86%, the majority of patients still had AD in the head-and-neck area.

Study details: This real-world study included 347 adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD who received dupilumab and were registered in the prospective Severe and ChRonic Atopic dermatitis Treatment CoHort (SCRATCH) registry during 2017-2022.

Disclosures: The SCRATCH registry was supported by research grants from Sanofi-Genzyme and Pfizer. Some authors reported ties with various organizations, including Sanofi-Genzyme and Pfizer.

Source: Vittrup I et al. A nationwide 104 weeks real-world study of dupilumab in adults with atopic dermatitis: Ineffectiveness in head-and-neck dermatitis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2023 (Jan 6). Doi: 10.1111/jdv.18849

Key clinical point: Dupilumab maintained efficacy against moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) with no new safety signals over 104 weeks; however, it was ineffective in treating head-and-neck AD.

Major finding: The median Eczema Area and Severity Index score decreased significantly from 18.0 at baseline to 2.0 at week 52 and 1.7 at week 104 (both P < .0001); 35% of patients reported an adverse event, with conjunctivitis being the most common (25%). Although the 104-week treatment persistence rate was 86%, the majority of patients still had AD in the head-and-neck area.

Study details: This real-world study included 347 adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD who received dupilumab and were registered in the prospective Severe and ChRonic Atopic dermatitis Treatment CoHort (SCRATCH) registry during 2017-2022.

Disclosures: The SCRATCH registry was supported by research grants from Sanofi-Genzyme and Pfizer. Some authors reported ties with various organizations, including Sanofi-Genzyme and Pfizer.

Source: Vittrup I et al. A nationwide 104 weeks real-world study of dupilumab in adults with atopic dermatitis: Ineffectiveness in head-and-neck dermatitis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2023 (Jan 6). Doi: 10.1111/jdv.18849

Key clinical point: Upadacitinib is effective and safe for the treatment of patients with difficult-to-treat moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD).

Major finding: At week 16, the percentages of patients achieving the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) 50, EASI 75, EASI 90, and EASI 100 were 94.29%, 91.43%, 74.29%, and 60.0%, respectively; 91.43% of patients achieved a ≥4-point decrease in itch-numerical rating scale score. No severe adverse events were reported.

Study details: This single-center retrospective real-life study included 38 patients aged ≥12 years with moderate-to-severe AD and inadequate response, intolerance, or contraindications to cyclosporine or dupilumab who had received upadacitinib (15/30 mg daily) for ≥8 weeks; 35 patients received the treatment for 16 weeks.

Disclosures: This study was supported by grants from Fondazione Roma, Italian Ministry of Health (Rome, Italy), “Ricerca Finalizzata” project. Some authors reported ties with various organizations.

Source: Gargiulo L et al. Real-life effectiveness and safety of upadacitinib in adults and adolescents with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: A single-center 16-week study. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2023 (Jan 9). Doi: 10.1007/s13555-022-00882-z

Key clinical point: Upadacitinib is effective and safe for the treatment of patients with difficult-to-treat moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD).

Major finding: At week 16, the percentages of patients achieving the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) 50, EASI 75, EASI 90, and EASI 100 were 94.29%, 91.43%, 74.29%, and 60.0%, respectively; 91.43% of patients achieved a ≥4-point decrease in itch-numerical rating scale score. No severe adverse events were reported.

Study details: This single-center retrospective real-life study included 38 patients aged ≥12 years with moderate-to-severe AD and inadequate response, intolerance, or contraindications to cyclosporine or dupilumab who had received upadacitinib (15/30 mg daily) for ≥8 weeks; 35 patients received the treatment for 16 weeks.

Disclosures: This study was supported by grants from Fondazione Roma, Italian Ministry of Health (Rome, Italy), “Ricerca Finalizzata” project. Some authors reported ties with various organizations.

Source: Gargiulo L et al. Real-life effectiveness and safety of upadacitinib in adults and adolescents with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: A single-center 16-week study. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2023 (Jan 9). Doi: 10.1007/s13555-022-00882-z

Key clinical point: Upadacitinib is effective and safe for the treatment of patients with difficult-to-treat moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD).

Major finding: At week 16, the percentages of patients achieving the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) 50, EASI 75, EASI 90, and EASI 100 were 94.29%, 91.43%, 74.29%, and 60.0%, respectively; 91.43% of patients achieved a ≥4-point decrease in itch-numerical rating scale score. No severe adverse events were reported.

Study details: This single-center retrospective real-life study included 38 patients aged ≥12 years with moderate-to-severe AD and inadequate response, intolerance, or contraindications to cyclosporine or dupilumab who had received upadacitinib (15/30 mg daily) for ≥8 weeks; 35 patients received the treatment for 16 weeks.

Disclosures: This study was supported by grants from Fondazione Roma, Italian Ministry of Health (Rome, Italy), “Ricerca Finalizzata” project. Some authors reported ties with various organizations.

Source: Gargiulo L et al. Real-life effectiveness and safety of upadacitinib in adults and adolescents with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: A single-center 16-week study. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2023 (Jan 9). Doi: 10.1007/s13555-022-00882-z

Key clinical point: The safety profile of baricitinib in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) was similar to that reported in earlier analyses; major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE), pulmonary embolism (PE), and malignancy were within the background range.

Major finding: The adjusted incidence rate/100 patient-years at risk for any infection was 67.2 and that for herpes simplex, herpes zoster, opportunistic infections, serious adverse events, MACE, PE, and 14 malignancies excluding nonmelanoma skin cancer was 6.7, 2.8, 0.3, 5.2, 0.15, 0.06, and 0.3, respectively.

Study details: This updated integrated analysis of eight clinical trials included 2636 patients with moderate-to-severe AD treated with ≥1 baricitinib dose (1/2/4 mg) through 3.9 years (4628.4 patient-years of exposure).

Disclosures: Baricitinib is developed by Eli Lilly and Company, under license from Incyte Corporation. Some authors reported ties with various organizations, including Eli Lilly. Five authors declared being employees and stockholders of Eli Lilly.

Source: Bieber T et al. Safety of baricitinib for the treatment of atopic dermatitis over a median of 1.6 years and up to 3.9 years of treatment: An updated integrated analysis of eight clinical trials. J Dermatolog Treat. 2022 (Dec 22). Doi: 10.1080/09546634.2022.2161812

Key clinical point: The safety profile of baricitinib in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) was similar to that reported in earlier analyses; major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE), pulmonary embolism (PE), and malignancy were within the background range.

Major finding: The adjusted incidence rate/100 patient-years at risk for any infection was 67.2 and that for herpes simplex, herpes zoster, opportunistic infections, serious adverse events, MACE, PE, and 14 malignancies excluding nonmelanoma skin cancer was 6.7, 2.8, 0.3, 5.2, 0.15, 0.06, and 0.3, respectively.

Study details: This updated integrated analysis of eight clinical trials included 2636 patients with moderate-to-severe AD treated with ≥1 baricitinib dose (1/2/4 mg) through 3.9 years (4628.4 patient-years of exposure).

Disclosures: Baricitinib is developed by Eli Lilly and Company, under license from Incyte Corporation. Some authors reported ties with various organizations, including Eli Lilly. Five authors declared being employees and stockholders of Eli Lilly.

Source: Bieber T et al. Safety of baricitinib for the treatment of atopic dermatitis over a median of 1.6 years and up to 3.9 years of treatment: An updated integrated analysis of eight clinical trials. J Dermatolog Treat. 2022 (Dec 22). Doi: 10.1080/09546634.2022.2161812

Key clinical point: The safety profile of baricitinib in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) was similar to that reported in earlier analyses; major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE), pulmonary embolism (PE), and malignancy were within the background range.

Major finding: The adjusted incidence rate/100 patient-years at risk for any infection was 67.2 and that for herpes simplex, herpes zoster, opportunistic infections, serious adverse events, MACE, PE, and 14 malignancies excluding nonmelanoma skin cancer was 6.7, 2.8, 0.3, 5.2, 0.15, 0.06, and 0.3, respectively.

Study details: This updated integrated analysis of eight clinical trials included 2636 patients with moderate-to-severe AD treated with ≥1 baricitinib dose (1/2/4 mg) through 3.9 years (4628.4 patient-years of exposure).

Disclosures: Baricitinib is developed by Eli Lilly and Company, under license from Incyte Corporation. Some authors reported ties with various organizations, including Eli Lilly. Five authors declared being employees and stockholders of Eli Lilly.

Source: Bieber T et al. Safety of baricitinib for the treatment of atopic dermatitis over a median of 1.6 years and up to 3.9 years of treatment: An updated integrated analysis of eight clinical trials. J Dermatolog Treat. 2022 (Dec 22). Doi: 10.1080/09546634.2022.2161812

Key clinical point: Over 68-week continuous treatment, 4 mg and 2 mg baricitinib plus topical corticosteroids (TCS) showed clinically meaningful efficacy in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD).

Major finding: The proportions of patients with a validated Investigator’s Global Assessment for AD score of 0/1 at weeks 32/68 in the 4 mg baricitinib intent-to-treat, 4 mg baricitinib responder or partial responder (RPR), and 2 mg baricitinib RPR cohorts were 21.6%/23.5%, 31.7%/34.9%, and 45.3%/30.2%, respectively; Eczema Area and Severity Index 75 response rates were 46.1%/43.1%, 57.1%/49.2%, and 69.8%/58.5%, respectively.

Study details: This ongoing extension study of BREEZE-AD7 (BREEZE-AD3) included 292 patients with moderate-to-severe AD, of which RPR receiving 2 mg baricitinib +TCS/4 mg baricitinib + TCS continued their original treatment, nonresponders receiving 2 mg baricitinib were reassigned to receive 2 mg or 4 mg baricitinib, and nonresponders receiving 4 mg baricitinib continued their treatment.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Eli Lilly and Company, under license from Incyte Corporation. Some authors reported ties with various organizations, including Eli Lilly. Four authors declared being employees and stockholders of Eli Lilly.

Source: Silverberg JI et al. Long-term efficacy (up to 68 weeks) of baricitinib in combination with topical corticosteroids in adult patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: Analysis of treatment responders, partial responders and nonresponders originating from study BREEZE-AD7. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2023 (Dec 14, 2022). Doi: 10.1111/jdv.18816

Key clinical point: Over 68-week continuous treatment, 4 mg and 2 mg baricitinib plus topical corticosteroids (TCS) showed clinically meaningful efficacy in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD).

Major finding: The proportions of patients with a validated Investigator’s Global Assessment for AD score of 0/1 at weeks 32/68 in the 4 mg baricitinib intent-to-treat, 4 mg baricitinib responder or partial responder (RPR), and 2 mg baricitinib RPR cohorts were 21.6%/23.5%, 31.7%/34.9%, and 45.3%/30.2%, respectively; Eczema Area and Severity Index 75 response rates were 46.1%/43.1%, 57.1%/49.2%, and 69.8%/58.5%, respectively.

Study details: This ongoing extension study of BREEZE-AD7 (BREEZE-AD3) included 292 patients with moderate-to-severe AD, of which RPR receiving 2 mg baricitinib +TCS/4 mg baricitinib + TCS continued their original treatment, nonresponders receiving 2 mg baricitinib were reassigned to receive 2 mg or 4 mg baricitinib, and nonresponders receiving 4 mg baricitinib continued their treatment.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Eli Lilly and Company, under license from Incyte Corporation. Some authors reported ties with various organizations, including Eli Lilly. Four authors declared being employees and stockholders of Eli Lilly.

Source: Silverberg JI et al. Long-term efficacy (up to 68 weeks) of baricitinib in combination with topical corticosteroids in adult patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: Analysis of treatment responders, partial responders and nonresponders originating from study BREEZE-AD7. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2023 (Dec 14, 2022). Doi: 10.1111/jdv.18816

Key clinical point: Over 68-week continuous treatment, 4 mg and 2 mg baricitinib plus topical corticosteroids (TCS) showed clinically meaningful efficacy in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD).

Major finding: The proportions of patients with a validated Investigator’s Global Assessment for AD score of 0/1 at weeks 32/68 in the 4 mg baricitinib intent-to-treat, 4 mg baricitinib responder or partial responder (RPR), and 2 mg baricitinib RPR cohorts were 21.6%/23.5%, 31.7%/34.9%, and 45.3%/30.2%, respectively; Eczema Area and Severity Index 75 response rates were 46.1%/43.1%, 57.1%/49.2%, and 69.8%/58.5%, respectively.

Study details: This ongoing extension study of BREEZE-AD7 (BREEZE-AD3) included 292 patients with moderate-to-severe AD, of which RPR receiving 2 mg baricitinib +TCS/4 mg baricitinib + TCS continued their original treatment, nonresponders receiving 2 mg baricitinib were reassigned to receive 2 mg or 4 mg baricitinib, and nonresponders receiving 4 mg baricitinib continued their treatment.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Eli Lilly and Company, under license from Incyte Corporation. Some authors reported ties with various organizations, including Eli Lilly. Four authors declared being employees and stockholders of Eli Lilly.

Source: Silverberg JI et al. Long-term efficacy (up to 68 weeks) of baricitinib in combination with topical corticosteroids in adult patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: Analysis of treatment responders, partial responders and nonresponders originating from study BREEZE-AD7. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2023 (Dec 14, 2022). Doi: 10.1111/jdv.18816

Key clinical point: Patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) experienced a significantly greater reduction in itch as early as 4 days after treatment with 200 mg abrocitinib compared with dupilumab and placebo.

Major finding: At day 4 after treatment, a significantly higher proportion of patients achieved a ≥4-point improvement in Peak Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale score in the 200 mg abrocitinib group (18.6%) than in the placebo (6.0%; P < .003) and dupilumab (5.6%; P < .001) groups.

Study details: This post hoc analysis of JADE COMPARE included 837 adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD who were randomly assigned to receive oral abrocitinib (200 or 100 mg), subcutaneous dupilumab (300 mg), or placebo with medicated topical therapy for 16 weeks.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Pfizer Inc. Some authors reported ties with various organizations, including Pfizer. Six authors declared being current or former employees and shareholders of Pfizer.

Source: Ständer S et al. Early itch response with abrocitinib is associated with later efficacy outcomes in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: Subgroup analysis of the randomized phase III JADE COMPARE trial. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2022 (Dec 13). Doi: 10.1007/s40257-022-00738-4

Key clinical point: Patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) experienced a significantly greater reduction in itch as early as 4 days after treatment with 200 mg abrocitinib compared with dupilumab and placebo.

Major finding: At day 4 after treatment, a significantly higher proportion of patients achieved a ≥4-point improvement in Peak Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale score in the 200 mg abrocitinib group (18.6%) than in the placebo (6.0%; P < .003) and dupilumab (5.6%; P < .001) groups.

Study details: This post hoc analysis of JADE COMPARE included 837 adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD who were randomly assigned to receive oral abrocitinib (200 or 100 mg), subcutaneous dupilumab (300 mg), or placebo with medicated topical therapy for 16 weeks.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Pfizer Inc. Some authors reported ties with various organizations, including Pfizer. Six authors declared being current or former employees and shareholders of Pfizer.

Source: Ständer S et al. Early itch response with abrocitinib is associated with later efficacy outcomes in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: Subgroup analysis of the randomized phase III JADE COMPARE trial. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2022 (Dec 13). Doi: 10.1007/s40257-022-00738-4

Key clinical point: Patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) experienced a significantly greater reduction in itch as early as 4 days after treatment with 200 mg abrocitinib compared with dupilumab and placebo.

Major finding: At day 4 after treatment, a significantly higher proportion of patients achieved a ≥4-point improvement in Peak Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale score in the 200 mg abrocitinib group (18.6%) than in the placebo (6.0%; P < .003) and dupilumab (5.6%; P < .001) groups.

Study details: This post hoc analysis of JADE COMPARE included 837 adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD who were randomly assigned to receive oral abrocitinib (200 or 100 mg), subcutaneous dupilumab (300 mg), or placebo with medicated topical therapy for 16 weeks.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Pfizer Inc. Some authors reported ties with various organizations, including Pfizer. Six authors declared being current or former employees and shareholders of Pfizer.

Source: Ständer S et al. Early itch response with abrocitinib is associated with later efficacy outcomes in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: Subgroup analysis of the randomized phase III JADE COMPARE trial. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2022 (Dec 13). Doi: 10.1007/s40257-022-00738-4

Key clinical point: Compared with topical corticosteroids (TCS) alone, lebrikizumab+TCS significantly improved outcomes in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD).

Major finding: At week 16, a significantly higher proportion of patients in the lebrikizumab+TCS vs placebo+TCS group achieved an Investigator’s Global Assessment score of 0 or 1 (41.2% vs 22.1%; P  =  .01) and a 75% improvement in the Eczema Area and Severity Index (69.5% vs 42.2%; P < .001). The frequencies of patient-reported serious adverse events (AE) were similar in both groups (<2%); most treatment-emergent AE were of mild or moderate severity.

Study details: Findings are from a multicenter phase 3 study, ADhere, including 211 patients aged ≥ 12 years with moderate-to-severe AD who were randomly assigned to receive lebrikizumab+TCS (n = 145) or placebo+TCS (n = 66).

Disclosures: This study was sponsored by Dermira, Inc; a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company. Some authors reported ties with various organizations, including Eli Lilly. Six authors declared being employees or stockholders of Eli Lilly.

Source: Simpson EL et al for the ADhere Investigators. Efficacy and safety of lebrikizumab in combination with topical corticosteroids in adolescents and adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: A randomized clinical trial (ADhere). JAMA Dermatol. 2023 (Jan 11). Doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2022.5534

Key clinical point: Compared with topical corticosteroids (TCS) alone, lebrikizumab+TCS significantly improved outcomes in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD).

Major finding: At week 16, a significantly higher proportion of patients in the lebrikizumab+TCS vs placebo+TCS group achieved an Investigator’s Global Assessment score of 0 or 1 (41.2% vs 22.1%; P  =  .01) and a 75% improvement in the Eczema Area and Severity Index (69.5% vs 42.2%; P < .001). The frequencies of patient-reported serious adverse events (AE) were similar in both groups (<2%); most treatment-emergent AE were of mild or moderate severity.

Study details: Findings are from a multicenter phase 3 study, ADhere, including 211 patients aged ≥ 12 years with moderate-to-severe AD who were randomly assigned to receive lebrikizumab+TCS (n = 145) or placebo+TCS (n = 66).

Disclosures: This study was sponsored by Dermira, Inc; a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company. Some authors reported ties with various organizations, including Eli Lilly. Six authors declared being employees or stockholders of Eli Lilly.

Source: Simpson EL et al for the ADhere Investigators. Efficacy and safety of lebrikizumab in combination with topical corticosteroids in adolescents and adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: A randomized clinical trial (ADhere). JAMA Dermatol. 2023 (Jan 11). Doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2022.5534

Key clinical point: Compared with topical corticosteroids (TCS) alone, lebrikizumab+TCS significantly improved outcomes in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD).

Major finding: At week 16, a significantly higher proportion of patients in the lebrikizumab+TCS vs placebo+TCS group achieved an Investigator’s Global Assessment score of 0 or 1 (41.2% vs 22.1%; P  =  .01) and a 75% improvement in the Eczema Area and Severity Index (69.5% vs 42.2%; P < .001). The frequencies of patient-reported serious adverse events (AE) were similar in both groups (<2%); most treatment-emergent AE were of mild or moderate severity.

Study details: Findings are from a multicenter phase 3 study, ADhere, including 211 patients aged ≥ 12 years with moderate-to-severe AD who were randomly assigned to receive lebrikizumab+TCS (n = 145) or placebo+TCS (n = 66).

Disclosures: This study was sponsored by Dermira, Inc; a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company. Some authors reported ties with various organizations, including Eli Lilly. Six authors declared being employees or stockholders of Eli Lilly.

Source: Simpson EL et al for the ADhere Investigators. Efficacy and safety of lebrikizumab in combination with topical corticosteroids in adolescents and adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: A randomized clinical trial (ADhere). JAMA Dermatol. 2023 (Jan 11). Doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2022.5534

Everybody wants a younger heart

As more people live well past 90, scientists have been taking a closer look at how they’ve been doing it. Mostly it boiled down to genetics. You either had it or you didn’t. Well, a recent study suggests that doesn’t have to be true anymore, at least for the heart.

Scientists from the United Kingdom and Italy found an antiaging gene in some centenarians that has shown possible antiaging effects in mice and in human heart cells. A single administration of the mutant antiaging gene, they found, stopped heart function decay in middle-aged mice and even reversed the biological clock by the human equivalent of 10 years in elderly mice.

©ktsimage/thinkstockphotos.com

When the researchers applied the antiaging gene to samples of human heart cells from elderly people with heart problems, the cells “resumed functioning properly, proving to be more efficient in building new blood vessels,” they said in a written statement. It all kind of sounds like something out of Dr. Frankenstein’s lab.
 

I want to believe … in better sleep

The “X-Files” theme song plays. Mulder and Scully are sitting in a diner, breakfast laid out around them. The diner is quiet, with only a few people inside.

Mulder: I’m telling you, Scully, there’s something spooky going on here.

Scully: You mean other than the fact that this town in Georgia looks suspiciously like Vancouver?

Mulder: Not one person we spoke to yesterday has gotten a full night’s sleep since the UFO sighting last month. I’m telling you, they’re here, they’re experimenting.

Scully: Do you really want me to do this to you again?

Mulder: Do what again?

Scully: There’s nothing going on here that can’t be explained by the current research. Why, in January 2023 a study was published revealing a link between poor sleep and belief in paranormal phenomena like UFOS, demons, or ghosts. Which probably explains why you’re on your third cup of coffee for the morning.

Mulder: Scully, you’ve literally been abducted by aliens. Do we have to play this game every time?

Scully: Look, it’s simple. In a sample of nearly 9,000 people, nearly two-thirds of those who reported experiencing sleep paralysis or exploding head syndrome reported believing in UFOs and aliens walking amongst humanity, despite making up just 3% of the overall sample.

Alexandra Gorn/Unsplash

Furthermore, about 60% of those reporting sleep paralysis also reported believing near-death experiences prove the soul lingers on after death, and those with stronger insomnia symptoms were more likely to believe in the devil.

Mulder: Aha!

Scully: Aha what?

Mulder: You’re a devout Christian. You believe in the devil and the soul.

Scully: Yes, but I don’t let it interfere with a good night’s sleep, Mulder. These people saw something strange, convinced themselves it was a UFO, and now they can’t sleep. It’s a vicious cycle. The study authors even said that people experiencing strange nighttime phenomena could interpret this as evidence of aliens or other paranormal beings, thus making them even more susceptible to further sleep disruption and deepening beliefs. Look who I’m talking to.

Mulder: Always with the facts, eh?

Scully: I am a doctor, after all. And if you want more research into how paranormal belief and poor sleep quality are linked, I’d be happy to dig out the literature, because the truth is out there, Mulder.

Mulder: I hate you sometimes.

It’s ChatGPT’s world. We’re just living in it

Have you heard about ChatGPT? The artificial intelligence chatbot was just launched in November and it’s already more important to the Internet than either Vladimir Putin or “Rick and Morty.”

What’s that? You’re wondering why you should care? Well, excuuuuuse us, but we thought you might want to know that ChatGPT is in the process of taking over the world. Let’s take a quick look at what it’s been up to.

“ChatGPT bot passes law school exam”

“ChatGPT passes MBA exam given by a Wharton professor”

“A freelance writer says ChatGPT wrote a $600 article in just 30 seconds”

And here’s one that might be of interest to those of the health care persuasion: “ChatGPT can pass part of the U.S. Medical Licensing Exam.” See? It’s coming for you, too.

The artificial intelligence known as ChatGPT “performed at >50% accuracy across [the three USMLE] examinations, exceeding 60% in most analyses,” a group of researchers wrote on the preprint server medRxiv, noting that 60% is usually the pass threshold for humans taking the exam in any given year.

Mohamed Hassan/PxHere

Everybody wants a younger heart

As more people live well past 90, scientists have been taking a closer look at how they’ve been doing it. Mostly it boiled down to genetics. You either had it or you didn’t. Well, a recent study suggests that doesn’t have to be true anymore, at least for the heart.

Scientists from the United Kingdom and Italy found an antiaging gene in some centenarians that has shown possible antiaging effects in mice and in human heart cells. A single administration of the mutant antiaging gene, they found, stopped heart function decay in middle-aged mice and even reversed the biological clock by the human equivalent of 10 years in elderly mice.

©ktsimage/thinkstockphotos.com

When the researchers applied the antiaging gene to samples of human heart cells from elderly people with heart problems, the cells “resumed functioning properly, proving to be more efficient in building new blood vessels,” they said in a written statement. It all kind of sounds like something out of Dr. Frankenstein’s lab.
 

I want to believe … in better sleep

The “X-Files” theme song plays. Mulder and Scully are sitting in a diner, breakfast laid out around them. The diner is quiet, with only a few people inside.

Mulder: I’m telling you, Scully, there’s something spooky going on here.

Scully: You mean other than the fact that this town in Georgia looks suspiciously like Vancouver?

Mulder: Not one person we spoke to yesterday has gotten a full night’s sleep since the UFO sighting last month. I’m telling you, they’re here, they’re experimenting.

Scully: Do you really want me to do this to you again?

Mulder: Do what again?

Scully: There’s nothing going on here that can’t be explained by the current research. Why, in January 2023 a study was published revealing a link between poor sleep and belief in paranormal phenomena like UFOS, demons, or ghosts. Which probably explains why you’re on your third cup of coffee for the morning.

Mulder: Scully, you’ve literally been abducted by aliens. Do we have to play this game every time?

Scully: Look, it’s simple. In a sample of nearly 9,000 people, nearly two-thirds of those who reported experiencing sleep paralysis or exploding head syndrome reported believing in UFOs and aliens walking amongst humanity, despite making up just 3% of the overall sample.

Alexandra Gorn/Unsplash

Furthermore, about 60% of those reporting sleep paralysis also reported believing near-death experiences prove the soul lingers on after death, and those with stronger insomnia symptoms were more likely to believe in the devil.

Mulder: Aha!

Scully: Aha what?

Mulder: You’re a devout Christian. You believe in the devil and the soul.

Scully: Yes, but I don’t let it interfere with a good night’s sleep, Mulder. These people saw something strange, convinced themselves it was a UFO, and now they can’t sleep. It’s a vicious cycle. The study authors even said that people experiencing strange nighttime phenomena could interpret this as evidence of aliens or other paranormal beings, thus making them even more susceptible to further sleep disruption and deepening beliefs. Look who I’m talking to.

Mulder: Always with the facts, eh?

Scully: I am a doctor, after all. And if you want more research into how paranormal belief and poor sleep quality are linked, I’d be happy to dig out the literature, because the truth is out there, Mulder.

Mulder: I hate you sometimes.

It’s ChatGPT’s world. We’re just living in it

Have you heard about ChatGPT? The artificial intelligence chatbot was just launched in November and it’s already more important to the Internet than either Vladimir Putin or “Rick and Morty.”

What’s that? You’re wondering why you should care? Well, excuuuuuse us, but we thought you might want to know that ChatGPT is in the process of taking over the world. Let’s take a quick look at what it’s been up to.

“ChatGPT bot passes law school exam”

“ChatGPT passes MBA exam given by a Wharton professor”

“A freelance writer says ChatGPT wrote a $600 article in just 30 seconds”

And here’s one that might be of interest to those of the health care persuasion: “ChatGPT can pass part of the U.S. Medical Licensing Exam.” See? It’s coming for you, too.

The artificial intelligence known as ChatGPT “performed at >50% accuracy across [the three USMLE] examinations, exceeding 60% in most analyses,” a group of researchers wrote on the preprint server medRxiv, noting that 60% is usually the pass threshold for humans taking the exam in any given year.

Mohamed Hassan/PxHere

Everybody wants a younger heart

As more people live well past 90, scientists have been taking a closer look at how they’ve been doing it. Mostly it boiled down to genetics. You either had it or you didn’t. Well, a recent study suggests that doesn’t have to be true anymore, at least for the heart.

Scientists from the United Kingdom and Italy found an antiaging gene in some centenarians that has shown possible antiaging effects in mice and in human heart cells. A single administration of the mutant antiaging gene, they found, stopped heart function decay in middle-aged mice and even reversed the biological clock by the human equivalent of 10 years in elderly mice.

©ktsimage/thinkstockphotos.com

When the researchers applied the antiaging gene to samples of human heart cells from elderly people with heart problems, the cells “resumed functioning properly, proving to be more efficient in building new blood vessels,” they said in a written statement. It all kind of sounds like something out of Dr. Frankenstein’s lab.
 

I want to believe … in better sleep

The “X-Files” theme song plays. Mulder and Scully are sitting in a diner, breakfast laid out around them. The diner is quiet, with only a few people inside.

Mulder: I’m telling you, Scully, there’s something spooky going on here.

Scully: You mean other than the fact that this town in Georgia looks suspiciously like Vancouver?

Mulder: Not one person we spoke to yesterday has gotten a full night’s sleep since the UFO sighting last month. I’m telling you, they’re here, they’re experimenting.

Scully: Do you really want me to do this to you again?

Mulder: Do what again?

Scully: There’s nothing going on here that can’t be explained by the current research. Why, in January 2023 a study was published revealing a link between poor sleep and belief in paranormal phenomena like UFOS, demons, or ghosts. Which probably explains why you’re on your third cup of coffee for the morning.

Mulder: Scully, you’ve literally been abducted by aliens. Do we have to play this game every time?

Scully: Look, it’s simple. In a sample of nearly 9,000 people, nearly two-thirds of those who reported experiencing sleep paralysis or exploding head syndrome reported believing in UFOs and aliens walking amongst humanity, despite making up just 3% of the overall sample.

Alexandra Gorn/Unsplash

Furthermore, about 60% of those reporting sleep paralysis also reported believing near-death experiences prove the soul lingers on after death, and those with stronger insomnia symptoms were more likely to believe in the devil.

Mulder: Aha!

Scully: Aha what?

Mulder: You’re a devout Christian. You believe in the devil and the soul.

Scully: Yes, but I don’t let it interfere with a good night’s sleep, Mulder. These people saw something strange, convinced themselves it was a UFO, and now they can’t sleep. It’s a vicious cycle. The study authors even said that people experiencing strange nighttime phenomena could interpret this as evidence of aliens or other paranormal beings, thus making them even more susceptible to further sleep disruption and deepening beliefs. Look who I’m talking to.

Mulder: Always with the facts, eh?

Scully: I am a doctor, after all. And if you want more research into how paranormal belief and poor sleep quality are linked, I’d be happy to dig out the literature, because the truth is out there, Mulder.

Mulder: I hate you sometimes.

It’s ChatGPT’s world. We’re just living in it

Have you heard about ChatGPT? The artificial intelligence chatbot was just launched in November and it’s already more important to the Internet than either Vladimir Putin or “Rick and Morty.”

What’s that? You’re wondering why you should care? Well, excuuuuuse us, but we thought you might want to know that ChatGPT is in the process of taking over the world. Let’s take a quick look at what it’s been up to.

“ChatGPT bot passes law school exam”

“ChatGPT passes MBA exam given by a Wharton professor”

“A freelance writer says ChatGPT wrote a $600 article in just 30 seconds”

And here’s one that might be of interest to those of the health care persuasion: “ChatGPT can pass part of the U.S. Medical Licensing Exam.” See? It’s coming for you, too.

The artificial intelligence known as ChatGPT “performed at >50% accuracy across [the three USMLE] examinations, exceeding 60% in most analyses,” a group of researchers wrote on the preprint server medRxiv, noting that 60% is usually the pass threshold for humans taking the exam in any given year.

Mohamed Hassan/PxHere