Treatment of atopic dermatitis with dupilumab: experience from a tertiary referral centre

C. M. Olesen, J. G. Holm, L. B. Nørreslet, J. V. Serup, S. F. Thomsen, T. Agner

21 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background Management of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) frequently requires treatment with systemic therapies. Dupilumab is the first biological agent approved for treatment of moderate-to-severe AD. Although promising results have appeared in clinical trials, real-life data on efficacy and safety are lacking. Objectives To assess effectiveness and safety of treatment with dupilumab in the real-life clinical setting at a Danish tertiary referral centre. Methods All patients with AD treated with dupilumab from October 2017 to October 2018 at Bispebjerg Hospital, Denmark, were included in the study. Patients were evaluated three times: at treatment initiation and at 1 and 3 months after first dupilumab injection. At each visit, disease activity was assessed by severity score (Eczema Area and Severity Index, EASI), patient-reported outcomes (Dermatology Life Quality Index, DLQI, pruritus and sleep score) and serological markers [immunoglobulin (Ig)E, eosinophil count and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)]. Results A total of 43 patients were included in the study. The mean reduction in EASI score from baseline was 19.6 points (72.4%) at 1-month and 22.6 points (76.7%) at 3-month follow-up. EASI, DLQI, pruritus score, sleep score, IgE and LDH were all statistically significantly reduced between baseline and 1- and 3-month follow-up. Mean reductions in EASI score and LDH at 3-month follow-up were significantly correlated (P = 0.003). One patient (2.3%) discontinued treatment due to side-effects, and seven patients (18.4%) developed conjunctivitis during the study period. Conclusion The effectiveness and safety of dupilumab treatment in a real-life clinical setting are comparable to that of phase 3 clinical trials. LDH is suggested as a potential serological marker predictive of treatment response.
Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology
Volume33
Issue number8
Pages (from-to)1562-1568
ISSN0926-9959
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2019

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