Atopic Dermatitis

Key clinical point: Patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) who received adjunctive allergen immunotherapy (AIT) reported improvements in disease severity and quality of life despite an increase in the rate of adverse events (AE).

Major finding: AIT vs no AIT improved disease severity (risk ratio [RR] 1.53; 95% CI 1.31-1.78) and the Dermatology Life Quality Index by at least 4 points (RR 1.44; 95% CI 1.03-2.01). The rates of local (RR 1.65; 95% CI 1.48-1.64) and systemic (RR 1.37; 95% CI 1.15-1.64) AE were higher with AIT vs placebo.

Study details: Findings are from a meta-analysis of 23 randomized controlled trials including 1957 adult and pediatric patients with moderate-to-severe AD who were randomly assigned to adjunctive AIT (subcutaneous or sublingual immunotherapy) or no AIT (placebo or standard care).

Disclosures: This study was supported by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology and other sources. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Yepes-Nuñez JJ et al. Allergen immunotherapy for atopic dermatitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of benefits and harms. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2022 (Sep 30). Doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2022.09.020

Key clinical point: Patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) who received adjunctive allergen immunotherapy (AIT) reported improvements in disease severity and quality of life despite an increase in the rate of adverse events (AE).

Major finding: AIT vs no AIT improved disease severity (risk ratio [RR] 1.53; 95% CI 1.31-1.78) and the Dermatology Life Quality Index by at least 4 points (RR 1.44; 95% CI 1.03-2.01). The rates of local (RR 1.65; 95% CI 1.48-1.64) and systemic (RR 1.37; 95% CI 1.15-1.64) AE were higher with AIT vs placebo.

Study details: Findings are from a meta-analysis of 23 randomized controlled trials including 1957 adult and pediatric patients with moderate-to-severe AD who were randomly assigned to adjunctive AIT (subcutaneous or sublingual immunotherapy) or no AIT (placebo or standard care).

Disclosures: This study was supported by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology and other sources. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Yepes-Nuñez JJ et al. Allergen immunotherapy for atopic dermatitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of benefits and harms. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2022 (Sep 30). Doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2022.09.020

Key clinical point: Patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) who received adjunctive allergen immunotherapy (AIT) reported improvements in disease severity and quality of life despite an increase in the rate of adverse events (AE).

Major finding: AIT vs no AIT improved disease severity (risk ratio [RR] 1.53; 95% CI 1.31-1.78) and the Dermatology Life Quality Index by at least 4 points (RR 1.44; 95% CI 1.03-2.01). The rates of local (RR 1.65; 95% CI 1.48-1.64) and systemic (RR 1.37; 95% CI 1.15-1.64) AE were higher with AIT vs placebo.

Study details: Findings are from a meta-analysis of 23 randomized controlled trials including 1957 adult and pediatric patients with moderate-to-severe AD who were randomly assigned to adjunctive AIT (subcutaneous or sublingual immunotherapy) or no AIT (placebo or standard care).

Disclosures: This study was supported by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology and other sources. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Yepes-Nuñez JJ et al. Allergen immunotherapy for atopic dermatitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of benefits and harms. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2022 (Sep 30). Doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2022.09.020

Key clinical point: Rate of COVID-19 hospitalizations varied by treatment modalities in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) who received immunomodulatory drugs.

Major finding: Rate of COVID-19 hospitalizations was higher among patients who received topical treatment vs dupilumab (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 4.99; 95% CI 1.4-20.84) or combination therapy with systemic corticosteroids vs monotherapy with nonsteroidal immunosuppressants (aOR 45.75; 95% CI 4.54-616.22).

Study details: Findings are from the SECURE-AD registry including 442 patients with AD and a diagnosis of COVID-19 who received immunomodulatory treatments.

Disclosures: This study is funded by the University of Amsterdam and other sources. Some authors declared serving as employees or receiving grants, consulting fees, honoraria, or travel support from several sources.

Source: Musters AH et al. The effects of systemic immunomodulatory treatments on COVID-19 outcomes in patients with atopic dermatitis: Results from the global SECURE-AD registry. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2022 (Sep 28). Doi: 10.1111/jdv.18613

Key clinical point: Rate of COVID-19 hospitalizations varied by treatment modalities in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) who received immunomodulatory drugs.

Major finding: Rate of COVID-19 hospitalizations was higher among patients who received topical treatment vs dupilumab (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 4.99; 95% CI 1.4-20.84) or combination therapy with systemic corticosteroids vs monotherapy with nonsteroidal immunosuppressants (aOR 45.75; 95% CI 4.54-616.22).

Study details: Findings are from the SECURE-AD registry including 442 patients with AD and a diagnosis of COVID-19 who received immunomodulatory treatments.

Disclosures: This study is funded by the University of Amsterdam and other sources. Some authors declared serving as employees or receiving grants, consulting fees, honoraria, or travel support from several sources.

Source: Musters AH et al. The effects of systemic immunomodulatory treatments on COVID-19 outcomes in patients with atopic dermatitis: Results from the global SECURE-AD registry. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2022 (Sep 28). Doi: 10.1111/jdv.18613

Key clinical point: Rate of COVID-19 hospitalizations varied by treatment modalities in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) who received immunomodulatory drugs.

Major finding: Rate of COVID-19 hospitalizations was higher among patients who received topical treatment vs dupilumab (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 4.99; 95% CI 1.4-20.84) or combination therapy with systemic corticosteroids vs monotherapy with nonsteroidal immunosuppressants (aOR 45.75; 95% CI 4.54-616.22).

Study details: Findings are from the SECURE-AD registry including 442 patients with AD and a diagnosis of COVID-19 who received immunomodulatory treatments.

Disclosures: This study is funded by the University of Amsterdam and other sources. Some authors declared serving as employees or receiving grants, consulting fees, honoraria, or travel support from several sources.

Source: Musters AH et al. The effects of systemic immunomodulatory treatments on COVID-19 outcomes in patients with atopic dermatitis: Results from the global SECURE-AD registry. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2022 (Sep 28). Doi: 10.1111/jdv.18613

Key clinical point: Tralokinumab, with or without topical corticosteroids (TCS), demonstrated significant efficacy in reducing disease severity and was well-tolerated in North American patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD).

Major finding: At week 16, a significantly higher proportion of patients receiving tralokinumab vs placebo achieved ≥75% improvement in the Eczema Area and Severity Index in ECZTRA 1/2 (40.1% vs 19.4%; P < .001) and ECZTRA 3 (58.1% vs 37.0%; P  =  .012) studies. Tralokinumab with or without TCS was also well-tolerated in the North American population.

Study details: Findings are from a post hoc analysis of three tralokinumab trials including patients with moderate-to-severe AD who were randomly assigned to receive tralokinumab or placebo, both with TCS as needed (ECZTRA 3; n = 160) or without TCS (ECZTRA 1 and 2; n = 559).

Disclosures: The ECZTRA trials were sponsored by LEO Pharma A/S. Three authors declared being current or former employees of LEO Pharma. The other authors reported ties with several sources, including LEO Pharma.

Source: Blauvelt A et al. Tralokinumab efficacy and safety, with or without topical corticosteroids, in North American adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: A subanalysis of phase 3 trials ECZTRA 1, 2, and 3. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2022 (Sep 24). Doi: 10.1007/s13555-022-00805-y

Key clinical point: Tralokinumab, with or without topical corticosteroids (TCS), demonstrated significant efficacy in reducing disease severity and was well-tolerated in North American patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD).

Major finding: At week 16, a significantly higher proportion of patients receiving tralokinumab vs placebo achieved ≥75% improvement in the Eczema Area and Severity Index in ECZTRA 1/2 (40.1% vs 19.4%; P < .001) and ECZTRA 3 (58.1% vs 37.0%; P  =  .012) studies. Tralokinumab with or without TCS was also well-tolerated in the North American population.

Study details: Findings are from a post hoc analysis of three tralokinumab trials including patients with moderate-to-severe AD who were randomly assigned to receive tralokinumab or placebo, both with TCS as needed (ECZTRA 3; n = 160) or without TCS (ECZTRA 1 and 2; n = 559).

Disclosures: The ECZTRA trials were sponsored by LEO Pharma A/S. Three authors declared being current or former employees of LEO Pharma. The other authors reported ties with several sources, including LEO Pharma.

Source: Blauvelt A et al. Tralokinumab efficacy and safety, with or without topical corticosteroids, in North American adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: A subanalysis of phase 3 trials ECZTRA 1, 2, and 3. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2022 (Sep 24). Doi: 10.1007/s13555-022-00805-y

Key clinical point: Tralokinumab, with or without topical corticosteroids (TCS), demonstrated significant efficacy in reducing disease severity and was well-tolerated in North American patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD).

Major finding: At week 16, a significantly higher proportion of patients receiving tralokinumab vs placebo achieved ≥75% improvement in the Eczema Area and Severity Index in ECZTRA 1/2 (40.1% vs 19.4%; P < .001) and ECZTRA 3 (58.1% vs 37.0%; P  =  .012) studies. Tralokinumab with or without TCS was also well-tolerated in the North American population.

Study details: Findings are from a post hoc analysis of three tralokinumab trials including patients with moderate-to-severe AD who were randomly assigned to receive tralokinumab or placebo, both with TCS as needed (ECZTRA 3; n = 160) or without TCS (ECZTRA 1 and 2; n = 559).

Disclosures: The ECZTRA trials were sponsored by LEO Pharma A/S. Three authors declared being current or former employees of LEO Pharma. The other authors reported ties with several sources, including LEO Pharma.

Source: Blauvelt A et al. Tralokinumab efficacy and safety, with or without topical corticosteroids, in North American adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: A subanalysis of phase 3 trials ECZTRA 1, 2, and 3. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2022 (Sep 24). Doi: 10.1007/s13555-022-00805-y

Key clinical point: Certain cutaneous biomarkers isolated from the clinically healthy skin of 2-month-old infants were able to predict the onset of atopic dermatitis (AD) in the first year of life.

Major finding: Skin thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine levels were slightly but significantly higher (0.02 vs 0.01 pg/μg, P  =  .01), phytosphingosine levels were significantly lower (238 vs 535 pmol/mg, P < .001), and sphingoid bases of chain lengths 17 (P  =  .02) and 18 (P  =  .000001) were different in children who developed vs did not develop AD.

Study details: Findings are from a prospective birth cohort study that analyzed tape strips collected at 2 months of age before AD onset in 44 children who developed AD in the first year of life and 44 matched controls who did not develop AD.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the LEO Foundation and other sources. Four authors declared serving as advisors, speakers, or consultants, or receiving research grants or support from several sources, including LEO Pharma. The other authors reported no conflicts of interest.

Source: Rinnov MR et al. Skin biomarkers predict development of atopic dermatitis in infancy. Allergy. 2022 (Sep 16). Doi: 10.1111/all.15518

Key clinical point: Certain cutaneous biomarkers isolated from the clinically healthy skin of 2-month-old infants were able to predict the onset of atopic dermatitis (AD) in the first year of life.

Major finding: Skin thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine levels were slightly but significantly higher (0.02 vs 0.01 pg/μg, P  =  .01), phytosphingosine levels were significantly lower (238 vs 535 pmol/mg, P < .001), and sphingoid bases of chain lengths 17 (P  =  .02) and 18 (P  =  .000001) were different in children who developed vs did not develop AD.

Study details: Findings are from a prospective birth cohort study that analyzed tape strips collected at 2 months of age before AD onset in 44 children who developed AD in the first year of life and 44 matched controls who did not develop AD.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the LEO Foundation and other sources. Four authors declared serving as advisors, speakers, or consultants, or receiving research grants or support from several sources, including LEO Pharma. The other authors reported no conflicts of interest.

Source: Rinnov MR et al. Skin biomarkers predict development of atopic dermatitis in infancy. Allergy. 2022 (Sep 16). Doi: 10.1111/all.15518

Key clinical point: Certain cutaneous biomarkers isolated from the clinically healthy skin of 2-month-old infants were able to predict the onset of atopic dermatitis (AD) in the first year of life.

Major finding: Skin thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine levels were slightly but significantly higher (0.02 vs 0.01 pg/μg, P  =  .01), phytosphingosine levels were significantly lower (238 vs 535 pmol/mg, P < .001), and sphingoid bases of chain lengths 17 (P  =  .02) and 18 (P  =  .000001) were different in children who developed vs did not develop AD.

Study details: Findings are from a prospective birth cohort study that analyzed tape strips collected at 2 months of age before AD onset in 44 children who developed AD in the first year of life and 44 matched controls who did not develop AD.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the LEO Foundation and other sources. Four authors declared serving as advisors, speakers, or consultants, or receiving research grants or support from several sources, including LEO Pharma. The other authors reported no conflicts of interest.

Source: Rinnov MR et al. Skin biomarkers predict development of atopic dermatitis in infancy. Allergy. 2022 (Sep 16). Doi: 10.1111/all.15518

Key clinical point: Abrocitinib demonstrated a rapid improvement in the signs and symptoms of atopic dermatitis (AD) in patients with moderate-to-severe AD.

Major finding: At week 12, a higher proportion of patients receiving 200/100 mg abrocitinib (70.3%/58.7%) vs placebo (27.1%) achieved ≥75% improvement in the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI-75). The time to achieve EASI-75 was significantly lower in the 200/100 mg abrocitinib vs placebo group (29/57 days vs 114 days; 2-sided P < .0001).

Study details: Findings are from the phase 3 JADE COMPARE study including adults with moderate-to-severe AD who were randomly assigned to receive 200/100 mg oral abrocitinib once daily+placebo, dupilumab+placebo, or placebo for 16 weeks.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Pfizer, Inc. Five authors declared being current or former employees and stockholders of Pfizer. The other authors reported ties with several sources.

Source: Reich K et al. Magnitude and time course of response to abrocitinib for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2022 (Sep 12). Doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2022.08.042

Key clinical point: Abrocitinib demonstrated a rapid improvement in the signs and symptoms of atopic dermatitis (AD) in patients with moderate-to-severe AD.

Major finding: At week 12, a higher proportion of patients receiving 200/100 mg abrocitinib (70.3%/58.7%) vs placebo (27.1%) achieved ≥75% improvement in the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI-75). The time to achieve EASI-75 was significantly lower in the 200/100 mg abrocitinib vs placebo group (29/57 days vs 114 days; 2-sided P < .0001).

Study details: Findings are from the phase 3 JADE COMPARE study including adults with moderate-to-severe AD who were randomly assigned to receive 200/100 mg oral abrocitinib once daily+placebo, dupilumab+placebo, or placebo for 16 weeks.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Pfizer, Inc. Five authors declared being current or former employees and stockholders of Pfizer. The other authors reported ties with several sources.

Source: Reich K et al. Magnitude and time course of response to abrocitinib for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2022 (Sep 12). Doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2022.08.042

Key clinical point: Abrocitinib demonstrated a rapid improvement in the signs and symptoms of atopic dermatitis (AD) in patients with moderate-to-severe AD.

Major finding: At week 12, a higher proportion of patients receiving 200/100 mg abrocitinib (70.3%/58.7%) vs placebo (27.1%) achieved ≥75% improvement in the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI-75). The time to achieve EASI-75 was significantly lower in the 200/100 mg abrocitinib vs placebo group (29/57 days vs 114 days; 2-sided P < .0001).

Study details: Findings are from the phase 3 JADE COMPARE study including adults with moderate-to-severe AD who were randomly assigned to receive 200/100 mg oral abrocitinib once daily+placebo, dupilumab+placebo, or placebo for 16 weeks.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Pfizer, Inc. Five authors declared being current or former employees and stockholders of Pfizer. The other authors reported ties with several sources.

Source: Reich K et al. Magnitude and time course of response to abrocitinib for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2022 (Sep 12). Doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2022.08.042

Key clinical point: Patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) who received ruxolitinib achieved an itch-free state within 2 days, which was maintained throughout the 8-week treatment period.

Major finding: A significantly higher proportion of patients receiving ruxolitinib (1.5%/0.75%) vs vehicle achieved itch numerical rating scale (NRS) score of 0/1 as early as within 2 days (19.0%/15.4% vs 4.6%), with improvements sustained till week 8 (49.5%/43.9% vs 18.3%; all P < .05). The median time to achieve itch NRS 0/1 was <15 days with ruxolitinib cream and not estimable with the vehicle.

Study details: Findings are from a pooled analysis of two phase 3 studies, TRuE-AD1 and TruE-AD2, including 1208 patients with AD and itch NRS score of >1 who were randomly assigned to receive ruxolitinib cream or vehicle.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Incyte Corporation. Three authors declared being employees and shareholders of Incyte Corporation. The other authors declared serving as scientific advisors, investigators, or consultants, or receiving research grants or honoraria from several sources, including Incyte.

Source: Blauvelt A et al. Itch-free state in patients with atopic dermatitis treated with ruxolitinib cream: Pooled analysis from two randomized phase 3 studies. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2022 (Sep 13). Doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2022.09.010

Key clinical point: Patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) who received ruxolitinib achieved an itch-free state within 2 days, which was maintained throughout the 8-week treatment period.

Major finding: A significantly higher proportion of patients receiving ruxolitinib (1.5%/0.75%) vs vehicle achieved itch numerical rating scale (NRS) score of 0/1 as early as within 2 days (19.0%/15.4% vs 4.6%), with improvements sustained till week 8 (49.5%/43.9% vs 18.3%; all P < .05). The median time to achieve itch NRS 0/1 was <15 days with ruxolitinib cream and not estimable with the vehicle.

Study details: Findings are from a pooled analysis of two phase 3 studies, TRuE-AD1 and TruE-AD2, including 1208 patients with AD and itch NRS score of >1 who were randomly assigned to receive ruxolitinib cream or vehicle.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Incyte Corporation. Three authors declared being employees and shareholders of Incyte Corporation. The other authors declared serving as scientific advisors, investigators, or consultants, or receiving research grants or honoraria from several sources, including Incyte.

Source: Blauvelt A et al. Itch-free state in patients with atopic dermatitis treated with ruxolitinib cream: Pooled analysis from two randomized phase 3 studies. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2022 (Sep 13). Doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2022.09.010

Key clinical point: Patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) who received ruxolitinib achieved an itch-free state within 2 days, which was maintained throughout the 8-week treatment period.

Major finding: A significantly higher proportion of patients receiving ruxolitinib (1.5%/0.75%) vs vehicle achieved itch numerical rating scale (NRS) score of 0/1 as early as within 2 days (19.0%/15.4% vs 4.6%), with improvements sustained till week 8 (49.5%/43.9% vs 18.3%; all P < .05). The median time to achieve itch NRS 0/1 was <15 days with ruxolitinib cream and not estimable with the vehicle.

Study details: Findings are from a pooled analysis of two phase 3 studies, TRuE-AD1 and TruE-AD2, including 1208 patients with AD and itch NRS score of >1 who were randomly assigned to receive ruxolitinib cream or vehicle.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Incyte Corporation. Three authors declared being employees and shareholders of Incyte Corporation. The other authors declared serving as scientific advisors, investigators, or consultants, or receiving research grants or honoraria from several sources, including Incyte.

Source: Blauvelt A et al. Itch-free state in patients with atopic dermatitis treated with ruxolitinib cream: Pooled analysis from two randomized phase 3 studies. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2022 (Sep 13). Doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2022.09.010

Key clinical point: Dupilumab reduced disease severity and showed a tolerable safety profile in children with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) as young as 6 months.

Major finding: At week 16, a significantly higher proportion of children receiving dupilumab vs placebo achieved the Investigator’s Global Assessment score of 0/1 (28% vs 4%; P < .0001). Both groups had a similar prevalence of adverse events (AE; 64% vs 74%), and no dupilumab-related serious AE were reported.

Study details: Findings are from the phase 3 LIBERTY AD PRESCHOOL study including 162 children between the ages of 6 months and 6 years with moderate-to-severe AD who were randomly assigned to receive subcutaneous dupilumab or placebo, both with low-potency topical corticosteroids.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. Ten authors declared being current or former employees and shareholders of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, and 5 authors declared being employees or shareholders of Sanofi. The other authors reported ties with several sources.

Source: Paller AS et al. Dupilumab in children aged 6 months to younger than 6 years with uncontrolled atopic dermatitis: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2022;400(10356):908-919 (Sep 17). Doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(22)01539-2

Key clinical point: Dupilumab reduced disease severity and showed a tolerable safety profile in children with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) as young as 6 months.

Major finding: At week 16, a significantly higher proportion of children receiving dupilumab vs placebo achieved the Investigator’s Global Assessment score of 0/1 (28% vs 4%; P < .0001). Both groups had a similar prevalence of adverse events (AE; 64% vs 74%), and no dupilumab-related serious AE were reported.

Study details: Findings are from the phase 3 LIBERTY AD PRESCHOOL study including 162 children between the ages of 6 months and 6 years with moderate-to-severe AD who were randomly assigned to receive subcutaneous dupilumab or placebo, both with low-potency topical corticosteroids.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. Ten authors declared being current or former employees and shareholders of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, and 5 authors declared being employees or shareholders of Sanofi. The other authors reported ties with several sources.

Source: Paller AS et al. Dupilumab in children aged 6 months to younger than 6 years with uncontrolled atopic dermatitis: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2022;400(10356):908-919 (Sep 17). Doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(22)01539-2

Key clinical point: Dupilumab reduced disease severity and showed a tolerable safety profile in children with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) as young as 6 months.

Major finding: At week 16, a significantly higher proportion of children receiving dupilumab vs placebo achieved the Investigator’s Global Assessment score of 0/1 (28% vs 4%; P < .0001). Both groups had a similar prevalence of adverse events (AE; 64% vs 74%), and no dupilumab-related serious AE were reported.

Study details: Findings are from the phase 3 LIBERTY AD PRESCHOOL study including 162 children between the ages of 6 months and 6 years with moderate-to-severe AD who were randomly assigned to receive subcutaneous dupilumab or placebo, both with low-potency topical corticosteroids.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. Ten authors declared being current or former employees and shareholders of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, and 5 authors declared being employees or shareholders of Sanofi. The other authors reported ties with several sources.

Source: Paller AS et al. Dupilumab in children aged 6 months to younger than 6 years with uncontrolled atopic dermatitis: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2022;400(10356):908-919 (Sep 17). Doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(22)01539-2

The United States Food and Drug Administration has approved the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor upadacitinib (Rinvoq) for adults with nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) who have objective signs of inflammation and who have had an inadequate response to or are intolerant of one or more tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, according to an announcement from the manufacturer, AbbVie.

The indication is the sixth in the United States for the JAK inhibitor. Upadacitinib 15 mg once daily is already approved in the United States for adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis, active psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and active ankylosing spondylitis (AS). All these indications are for patients who have had an inadequate response to or are intolerant of one or more TNF inhibitors.

Upadacitinib is now the only JAK inhibitor that has been approved for both nr-axSpA and AS.

“Many patients living with nr-axSpA continue to experience symptoms and are unable to control disease with current treatments. In the SELECT-AXIS 2 trials, Rinvoq demonstrated efficacy in both nr-axSpA and AS with safety that was consistent across indications,” Atul Deodhar, MD, lead investigator of the trial, said in the announcement. “Today’s FDA approval offers an important new therapeutic option for patients and their caregivers to help take control of their symptoms and disease.”

Upadacitinib is also approved at a dose of 15 mg once daily for adults and children 12 years of age and older who weigh at least 40 kg and who have refractory, moderate to severe atopic dermatitis that is not adequately controlled with other systemic drug products, including biologics, or when use of those therapies is inadvisable.

It is approved as well at 45 mg once daily for 8 weeks as an induction therapy for adult patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis who have had an inadequate response to or are intolerant of one or more TNF blockers. Following induction therapy for patients with ulcerative colitis, the recommended dose for maintenance treatment is 15 mg once daily, but a dose of 30 mg once daily may be considered for patients with refractory, severe, or extensive disease.

The FDA’s decision is supported by data from the phase 3 SELECT-AXIS 2 clinical trial, which assessed the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of upadacitinib in adults with active nr-axSpA.

Nearly half of patients treated with upadacitinib had achieved 40% improvement in Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society response criteria (ASAS 40), the primary endpoint, at week 14, compared with placebo (44.9% vs. 22.3%). These responses were observed as early as 2 weeks after initiation of therapy. The safety profile was consistent with what’s known in patients with RA, PsA, and AS.

Upadacitinib can lower the ability to fight infections. Serious infections, some fatal, have occurred, including tuberculosis and infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses. It is associated with an increased risk of death and major cardiovascular events in people aged 50 and older who have at least one heart disease risk factor, and it is associated with an increased risk of some cancers, including lymphoma and skin cancers.

A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.

The United States Food and Drug Administration has approved the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor upadacitinib (Rinvoq) for adults with nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) who have objective signs of inflammation and who have had an inadequate response to or are intolerant of one or more tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, according to an announcement from the manufacturer, AbbVie.

The indication is the sixth in the United States for the JAK inhibitor. Upadacitinib 15 mg once daily is already approved in the United States for adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis, active psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and active ankylosing spondylitis (AS). All these indications are for patients who have had an inadequate response to or are intolerant of one or more TNF inhibitors.

Upadacitinib is now the only JAK inhibitor that has been approved for both nr-axSpA and AS.

“Many patients living with nr-axSpA continue to experience symptoms and are unable to control disease with current treatments. In the SELECT-AXIS 2 trials, Rinvoq demonstrated efficacy in both nr-axSpA and AS with safety that was consistent across indications,” Atul Deodhar, MD, lead investigator of the trial, said in the announcement. “Today’s FDA approval offers an important new therapeutic option for patients and their caregivers to help take control of their symptoms and disease.”

Upadacitinib is also approved at a dose of 15 mg once daily for adults and children 12 years of age and older who weigh at least 40 kg and who have refractory, moderate to severe atopic dermatitis that is not adequately controlled with other systemic drug products, including biologics, or when use of those therapies is inadvisable.

It is approved as well at 45 mg once daily for 8 weeks as an induction therapy for adult patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis who have had an inadequate response to or are intolerant of one or more TNF blockers. Following induction therapy for patients with ulcerative colitis, the recommended dose for maintenance treatment is 15 mg once daily, but a dose of 30 mg once daily may be considered for patients with refractory, severe, or extensive disease.

The FDA’s decision is supported by data from the phase 3 SELECT-AXIS 2 clinical trial, which assessed the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of upadacitinib in adults with active nr-axSpA.

Nearly half of patients treated with upadacitinib had achieved 40% improvement in Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society response criteria (ASAS 40), the primary endpoint, at week 14, compared with placebo (44.9% vs. 22.3%). These responses were observed as early as 2 weeks after initiation of therapy. The safety profile was consistent with what’s known in patients with RA, PsA, and AS.

Upadacitinib can lower the ability to fight infections. Serious infections, some fatal, have occurred, including tuberculosis and infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses. It is associated with an increased risk of death and major cardiovascular events in people aged 50 and older who have at least one heart disease risk factor, and it is associated with an increased risk of some cancers, including lymphoma and skin cancers.

A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.

The United States Food and Drug Administration has approved the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor upadacitinib (Rinvoq) for adults with nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) who have objective signs of inflammation and who have had an inadequate response to or are intolerant of one or more tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, according to an announcement from the manufacturer, AbbVie.

The indication is the sixth in the United States for the JAK inhibitor. Upadacitinib 15 mg once daily is already approved in the United States for adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis, active psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and active ankylosing spondylitis (AS). All these indications are for patients who have had an inadequate response to or are intolerant of one or more TNF inhibitors.

Upadacitinib is now the only JAK inhibitor that has been approved for both nr-axSpA and AS.

“Many patients living with nr-axSpA continue to experience symptoms and are unable to control disease with current treatments. In the SELECT-AXIS 2 trials, Rinvoq demonstrated efficacy in both nr-axSpA and AS with safety that was consistent across indications,” Atul Deodhar, MD, lead investigator of the trial, said in the announcement. “Today’s FDA approval offers an important new therapeutic option for patients and their caregivers to help take control of their symptoms and disease.”

Upadacitinib is also approved at a dose of 15 mg once daily for adults and children 12 years of age and older who weigh at least 40 kg and who have refractory, moderate to severe atopic dermatitis that is not adequately controlled with other systemic drug products, including biologics, or when use of those therapies is inadvisable.

It is approved as well at 45 mg once daily for 8 weeks as an induction therapy for adult patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis who have had an inadequate response to or are intolerant of one or more TNF blockers. Following induction therapy for patients with ulcerative colitis, the recommended dose for maintenance treatment is 15 mg once daily, but a dose of 30 mg once daily may be considered for patients with refractory, severe, or extensive disease.

The FDA’s decision is supported by data from the phase 3 SELECT-AXIS 2 clinical trial, which assessed the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of upadacitinib in adults with active nr-axSpA.

Nearly half of patients treated with upadacitinib had achieved 40% improvement in Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society response criteria (ASAS 40), the primary endpoint, at week 14, compared with placebo (44.9% vs. 22.3%). These responses were observed as early as 2 weeks after initiation of therapy. The safety profile was consistent with what’s known in patients with RA, PsA, and AS.

Upadacitinib can lower the ability to fight infections. Serious infections, some fatal, have occurred, including tuberculosis and infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses. It is associated with an increased risk of death and major cardiovascular events in people aged 50 and older who have at least one heart disease risk factor, and it is associated with an increased risk of some cancers, including lymphoma and skin cancers.

A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.

MONTREAL – Daily use of full-body emollients from birth to age 1 year in infants at high risk for developing atopic dermatitis (AD) was not more effective at preventing the condition than standard skin-care advice alone, according to 5-year results of the BEEP randomized trial, reported at the annual meeting of the International Society of Atopic Dermatitis.

“So far, the science does not look convincing, and I am concerned about the possible harms,” commented senior investigator Hywel C. Williams, DSc, from the Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology, University of Nottingham (England).

The rate of AD at 2 years – the primary outcome of the BEEP trial – have already shown no benefit of either Diprobase cream or DoubleBase gel plus standard skin-care advice versus standard skin-care advice alone among 1,394 infants at high risk for developing AD. “These are children born to parents with a first-degree relative with eczema,” Dr. Williams explained.

At 2 years, 23% of the emollient group versus 25% of the control group developed eczema (adjusted relative risk, 0.95), and the parent-reported clinical skin infection rate was statistically increased (incidence rate ratio, 1.55). Despite these results, follow-up of BEEP was extended to 5 years to determine if there was a delayed benefit of emollients, both in AD prevention but also with other related disorders, he explained.

“Prevention is so much more logical than treating sick individuals with severe disease who present after a long chain of pathological events with expensive drugs. And even if you can’t primarily prevent eczema, even a small shift in the severity of distribution to the left has major public health implications,” Dr. Williams added. “And if you believe in the atopic march, then if you could prevent eczema, you might be able to prevent subsequent food allergy, asthma, and allergic rhinitis.”

The extension data was based on questionnaires at 3, 4, and 5 years documenting parental reports of doctor-diagnosed eczema and eczema severity, wheezing, allergic rhinitis, food allergy symptoms, and clinical diagnosis, as well as 5-year clinical diagnoses of asthma or allergic rhinitis. About 70% of parents returned their questionnaires at each point, showing no significant difference at 5 years for a clinical diagnosis of eczema (31% in the emollient group vs. 28% in controls), clinical diagnosis of food allergy (15% vs. 14%, respectively), or other outcomes.

“It’s a lovely hypothesis, but did we use the wrong emollients, or did we start it too late? Or should we start facing the possibility that maybe emollients really do not prevent eczema?” Dr. Williams commented, adding that he does not recommend use of emollients for AD prevention.

“There’s more research needed,” agreed panelist Eric Simpson, MD, professor of dermatology at Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, whose AD primary prevention CASCADE trial is expected to shed more light on the role of emollients in the near future. “And we can’t just ignore [another] randomized controlled trial that was done really well ... showing a positive effect,” he added, referring to the small, single-center STOP-AD trial.

“We’re always hoping, and it’s scientifically incredibly frustrating that none of this has borne out,” Aaron Drucker, MD, a dermatologist at Women’s College Hospital and associate professor at the University of Toronto, told this news organization. “It’s so appealing that emollients early in life would improve the skin barrier and then decrease likelihood of getting eczema. It’s great that there’s a new, large study from Dr. Simpson that is going to be coming out soon, so we’ll have another piece of this puzzle.”

Dr. Drucker said that although it sounds simple, there is much nuance in the question of emollients and skin barrier protection: “Who is the population that you ought to use the emollients in? What kind of emollient? How often and where? All of these things can influence potentially what the results of a trial might be. That’s where there’s still hope. I think the hope fades more and more as more evidence piles up.”

He added that although there currently is not enough evidence to recommend emollients for AD prevention, there is also not enough evidence of harm. “It’s nothing we should be afraid of,” Dr. Drucker advised.

Dr. Williams and Dr. Drucker report no relevant financial relationships.

A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.

MONTREAL – Daily use of full-body emollients from birth to age 1 year in infants at high risk for developing atopic dermatitis (AD) was not more effective at preventing the condition than standard skin-care advice alone, according to 5-year results of the BEEP randomized trial, reported at the annual meeting of the International Society of Atopic Dermatitis.

“So far, the science does not look convincing, and I am concerned about the possible harms,” commented senior investigator Hywel C. Williams, DSc, from the Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology, University of Nottingham (England).

The rate of AD at 2 years – the primary outcome of the BEEP trial – have already shown no benefit of either Diprobase cream or DoubleBase gel plus standard skin-care advice versus standard skin-care advice alone among 1,394 infants at high risk for developing AD. “These are children born to parents with a first-degree relative with eczema,” Dr. Williams explained.

At 2 years, 23% of the emollient group versus 25% of the control group developed eczema (adjusted relative risk, 0.95), and the parent-reported clinical skin infection rate was statistically increased (incidence rate ratio, 1.55). Despite these results, follow-up of BEEP was extended to 5 years to determine if there was a delayed benefit of emollients, both in AD prevention but also with other related disorders, he explained.

“Prevention is so much more logical than treating sick individuals with severe disease who present after a long chain of pathological events with expensive drugs. And even if you can’t primarily prevent eczema, even a small shift in the severity of distribution to the left has major public health implications,” Dr. Williams added. “And if you believe in the atopic march, then if you could prevent eczema, you might be able to prevent subsequent food allergy, asthma, and allergic rhinitis.”

The extension data was based on questionnaires at 3, 4, and 5 years documenting parental reports of doctor-diagnosed eczema and eczema severity, wheezing, allergic rhinitis, food allergy symptoms, and clinical diagnosis, as well as 5-year clinical diagnoses of asthma or allergic rhinitis. About 70% of parents returned their questionnaires at each point, showing no significant difference at 5 years for a clinical diagnosis of eczema (31% in the emollient group vs. 28% in controls), clinical diagnosis of food allergy (15% vs. 14%, respectively), or other outcomes.

“It’s a lovely hypothesis, but did we use the wrong emollients, or did we start it too late? Or should we start facing the possibility that maybe emollients really do not prevent eczema?” Dr. Williams commented, adding that he does not recommend use of emollients for AD prevention.

“There’s more research needed,” agreed panelist Eric Simpson, MD, professor of dermatology at Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, whose AD primary prevention CASCADE trial is expected to shed more light on the role of emollients in the near future. “And we can’t just ignore [another] randomized controlled trial that was done really well ... showing a positive effect,” he added, referring to the small, single-center STOP-AD trial.

“We’re always hoping, and it’s scientifically incredibly frustrating that none of this has borne out,” Aaron Drucker, MD, a dermatologist at Women’s College Hospital and associate professor at the University of Toronto, told this news organization. “It’s so appealing that emollients early in life would improve the skin barrier and then decrease likelihood of getting eczema. It’s great that there’s a new, large study from Dr. Simpson that is going to be coming out soon, so we’ll have another piece of this puzzle.”

Dr. Drucker said that although it sounds simple, there is much nuance in the question of emollients and skin barrier protection: “Who is the population that you ought to use the emollients in? What kind of emollient? How often and where? All of these things can influence potentially what the results of a trial might be. That’s where there’s still hope. I think the hope fades more and more as more evidence piles up.”

He added that although there currently is not enough evidence to recommend emollients for AD prevention, there is also not enough evidence of harm. “It’s nothing we should be afraid of,” Dr. Drucker advised.

Dr. Williams and Dr. Drucker report no relevant financial relationships.

A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.

MONTREAL – Daily use of full-body emollients from birth to age 1 year in infants at high risk for developing atopic dermatitis (AD) was not more effective at preventing the condition than standard skin-care advice alone, according to 5-year results of the BEEP randomized trial, reported at the annual meeting of the International Society of Atopic Dermatitis.

“So far, the science does not look convincing, and I am concerned about the possible harms,” commented senior investigator Hywel C. Williams, DSc, from the Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology, University of Nottingham (England).

The rate of AD at 2 years – the primary outcome of the BEEP trial – have already shown no benefit of either Diprobase cream or DoubleBase gel plus standard skin-care advice versus standard skin-care advice alone among 1,394 infants at high risk for developing AD. “These are children born to parents with a first-degree relative with eczema,” Dr. Williams explained.

At 2 years, 23% of the emollient group versus 25% of the control group developed eczema (adjusted relative risk, 0.95), and the parent-reported clinical skin infection rate was statistically increased (incidence rate ratio, 1.55). Despite these results, follow-up of BEEP was extended to 5 years to determine if there was a delayed benefit of emollients, both in AD prevention but also with other related disorders, he explained.

“Prevention is so much more logical than treating sick individuals with severe disease who present after a long chain of pathological events with expensive drugs. And even if you can’t primarily prevent eczema, even a small shift in the severity of distribution to the left has major public health implications,” Dr. Williams added. “And if you believe in the atopic march, then if you could prevent eczema, you might be able to prevent subsequent food allergy, asthma, and allergic rhinitis.”

The extension data was based on questionnaires at 3, 4, and 5 years documenting parental reports of doctor-diagnosed eczema and eczema severity, wheezing, allergic rhinitis, food allergy symptoms, and clinical diagnosis, as well as 5-year clinical diagnoses of asthma or allergic rhinitis. About 70% of parents returned their questionnaires at each point, showing no significant difference at 5 years for a clinical diagnosis of eczema (31% in the emollient group vs. 28% in controls), clinical diagnosis of food allergy (15% vs. 14%, respectively), or other outcomes.

“It’s a lovely hypothesis, but did we use the wrong emollients, or did we start it too late? Or should we start facing the possibility that maybe emollients really do not prevent eczema?” Dr. Williams commented, adding that he does not recommend use of emollients for AD prevention.

“There’s more research needed,” agreed panelist Eric Simpson, MD, professor of dermatology at Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, whose AD primary prevention CASCADE trial is expected to shed more light on the role of emollients in the near future. “And we can’t just ignore [another] randomized controlled trial that was done really well ... showing a positive effect,” he added, referring to the small, single-center STOP-AD trial.

“We’re always hoping, and it’s scientifically incredibly frustrating that none of this has borne out,” Aaron Drucker, MD, a dermatologist at Women’s College Hospital and associate professor at the University of Toronto, told this news organization. “It’s so appealing that emollients early in life would improve the skin barrier and then decrease likelihood of getting eczema. It’s great that there’s a new, large study from Dr. Simpson that is going to be coming out soon, so we’ll have another piece of this puzzle.”

Dr. Drucker said that although it sounds simple, there is much nuance in the question of emollients and skin barrier protection: “Who is the population that you ought to use the emollients in? What kind of emollient? How often and where? All of these things can influence potentially what the results of a trial might be. That’s where there’s still hope. I think the hope fades more and more as more evidence piles up.”

He added that although there currently is not enough evidence to recommend emollients for AD prevention, there is also not enough evidence of harm. “It’s nothing we should be afraid of,” Dr. Drucker advised.

Dr. Williams and Dr. Drucker report no relevant financial relationships.

A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.

MONTREAL – Systemic treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) boosts mood in addition to relieving skin symptoms, according to a prospective, real-world, clinical cohort study presented at the annual meeting of the International Society of Atopic Dermatitis.

“Randomized, controlled, phase 3 studies have shown that systemic treatment of AD reduces depressive symptoms, but whether this holds true in real-world cohorts remains to be shown,” said study investigator Lina Ivert, MD, PhD, of the dermatology and venereology unit in the department of medicine at the Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm.

The study used data from SwedAD, a newly launched web-based Swedish national registry of patients with AD on systemic treatment between June 2017 and August 2021. Participants were followed at 6 and 12 months for the primary outcome of depressive symptoms using the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale–self-report (MADRS-S). Secondary outcomes included the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) score, Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM), the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), and pruritus visual analog scale/numeric rating scale (VAS/NRS).

At baseline, 120 patients (median age, 39 years; 57.5% men) were started on dupilumab (n = 91), methotrexate (26), or cyclosporin (3). Although almost half had no depression at baseline, mild depression was present in 29.2%, with moderate and severe depression in 20% and 4.2%, respectively.

Among 59 patients with 6-month follow-up data (48 on dupilumab, 10 on methotrexate, 1 on cyclosporin), all nine depressive symptoms in MADRS-S improved significantly, with reduced sleep improving the most (from a median of 3 points to a median of 1 point). Similarly, overall MADRS-S scores improved (from a median of 14 points to a median of 5; P < .001), as did EASI scores (from a median of 20.5 to 2), POEM scores (from a median of 22 to 6), DLQI (from a median of 15 to 3), and pruritus scores (from a median of 7.1 to 1.8; all P < .001).

The analysis also found a strong correlation between the MADRS-S score and all of the secondary outcomes (P < .001 for all). All these improvements remained significant among the 36 patients with 12-month follow-up data.

“The median MADRS-S reduction also remained when we excluded eight patients who were on antidepressants during the study period, so these results cannot be explained by psychiatric medication,” noted Dr. Ivert, adding that three patients with severe suicide ideation at baseline improved their MADRS-S suicide item to less than 2 points. “So, this study taught us to look at the suicide item score and not only the total MADRS-S score,” she commented.

Comparing patients treated with dupilumab with those treated with methotrexate, the analysis showed that though baseline median MADRS-S scores did not differ significantly between them, there was a significant 6-month reduction in the dupilumab group but not in the methotrexate group.

Asked to comment on the findings, moderator Marissa Joseph, MD, a pediatric dermatologist at the University of Toronto, said that “the mental health effects of inflammatory skin conditions like atopic dermatitis are well known, but whether or not they are well explored in the patient-physician interaction is a whole other scenario.” There are time constraints, she said, adding, “it sometimes takes some deep-diving ... but exploring those types of symptoms is something we need to do more of, and the severity of the disease and reasons for treatment are not just what you can see.”

A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.

MONTREAL – Systemic treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) boosts mood in addition to relieving skin symptoms, according to a prospective, real-world, clinical cohort study presented at the annual meeting of the International Society of Atopic Dermatitis.

“Randomized, controlled, phase 3 studies have shown that systemic treatment of AD reduces depressive symptoms, but whether this holds true in real-world cohorts remains to be shown,” said study investigator Lina Ivert, MD, PhD, of the dermatology and venereology unit in the department of medicine at the Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm.

The study used data from SwedAD, a newly launched web-based Swedish national registry of patients with AD on systemic treatment between June 2017 and August 2021. Participants were followed at 6 and 12 months for the primary outcome of depressive symptoms using the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale–self-report (MADRS-S). Secondary outcomes included the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) score, Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM), the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), and pruritus visual analog scale/numeric rating scale (VAS/NRS).

At baseline, 120 patients (median age, 39 years; 57.5% men) were started on dupilumab (n = 91), methotrexate (26), or cyclosporin (3). Although almost half had no depression at baseline, mild depression was present in 29.2%, with moderate and severe depression in 20% and 4.2%, respectively.

Among 59 patients with 6-month follow-up data (48 on dupilumab, 10 on methotrexate, 1 on cyclosporin), all nine depressive symptoms in MADRS-S improved significantly, with reduced sleep improving the most (from a median of 3 points to a median of 1 point). Similarly, overall MADRS-S scores improved (from a median of 14 points to a median of 5; P < .001), as did EASI scores (from a median of 20.5 to 2), POEM scores (from a median of 22 to 6), DLQI (from a median of 15 to 3), and pruritus scores (from a median of 7.1 to 1.8; all P < .001).

The analysis also found a strong correlation between the MADRS-S score and all of the secondary outcomes (P < .001 for all). All these improvements remained significant among the 36 patients with 12-month follow-up data.

“The median MADRS-S reduction also remained when we excluded eight patients who were on antidepressants during the study period, so these results cannot be explained by psychiatric medication,” noted Dr. Ivert, adding that three patients with severe suicide ideation at baseline improved their MADRS-S suicide item to less than 2 points. “So, this study taught us to look at the suicide item score and not only the total MADRS-S score,” she commented.

Comparing patients treated with dupilumab with those treated with methotrexate, the analysis showed that though baseline median MADRS-S scores did not differ significantly between them, there was a significant 6-month reduction in the dupilumab group but not in the methotrexate group.

Asked to comment on the findings, moderator Marissa Joseph, MD, a pediatric dermatologist at the University of Toronto, said that “the mental health effects of inflammatory skin conditions like atopic dermatitis are well known, but whether or not they are well explored in the patient-physician interaction is a whole other scenario.” There are time constraints, she said, adding, “it sometimes takes some deep-diving ... but exploring those types of symptoms is something we need to do more of, and the severity of the disease and reasons for treatment are not just what you can see.”

A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.

MONTREAL – Systemic treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) boosts mood in addition to relieving skin symptoms, according to a prospective, real-world, clinical cohort study presented at the annual meeting of the International Society of Atopic Dermatitis.

“Randomized, controlled, phase 3 studies have shown that systemic treatment of AD reduces depressive symptoms, but whether this holds true in real-world cohorts remains to be shown,” said study investigator Lina Ivert, MD, PhD, of the dermatology and venereology unit in the department of medicine at the Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm.

The study used data from SwedAD, a newly launched web-based Swedish national registry of patients with AD on systemic treatment between June 2017 and August 2021. Participants were followed at 6 and 12 months for the primary outcome of depressive symptoms using the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale–self-report (MADRS-S). Secondary outcomes included the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) score, Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM), the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), and pruritus visual analog scale/numeric rating scale (VAS/NRS).

At baseline, 120 patients (median age, 39 years; 57.5% men) were started on dupilumab (n = 91), methotrexate (26), or cyclosporin (3). Although almost half had no depression at baseline, mild depression was present in 29.2%, with moderate and severe depression in 20% and 4.2%, respectively.

Among 59 patients with 6-month follow-up data (48 on dupilumab, 10 on methotrexate, 1 on cyclosporin), all nine depressive symptoms in MADRS-S improved significantly, with reduced sleep improving the most (from a median of 3 points to a median of 1 point). Similarly, overall MADRS-S scores improved (from a median of 14 points to a median of 5; P < .001), as did EASI scores (from a median of 20.5 to 2), POEM scores (from a median of 22 to 6), DLQI (from a median of 15 to 3), and pruritus scores (from a median of 7.1 to 1.8; all P < .001).

The analysis also found a strong correlation between the MADRS-S score and all of the secondary outcomes (P < .001 for all). All these improvements remained significant among the 36 patients with 12-month follow-up data.

“The median MADRS-S reduction also remained when we excluded eight patients who were on antidepressants during the study period, so these results cannot be explained by psychiatric medication,” noted Dr. Ivert, adding that three patients with severe suicide ideation at baseline improved their MADRS-S suicide item to less than 2 points. “So, this study taught us to look at the suicide item score and not only the total MADRS-S score,” she commented.

Comparing patients treated with dupilumab with those treated with methotrexate, the analysis showed that though baseline median MADRS-S scores did not differ significantly between them, there was a significant 6-month reduction in the dupilumab group but not in the methotrexate group.

Asked to comment on the findings, moderator Marissa Joseph, MD, a pediatric dermatologist at the University of Toronto, said that “the mental health effects of inflammatory skin conditions like atopic dermatitis are well known, but whether or not they are well explored in the patient-physician interaction is a whole other scenario.” There are time constraints, she said, adding, “it sometimes takes some deep-diving ... but exploring those types of symptoms is something we need to do more of, and the severity of the disease and reasons for treatment are not just what you can see.”

A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.