Comparing binary efficacy outcomes for systemic immunomodulatory treatments for atopic dermatitis in a living systematic review and network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Systemic treatments for atopic dermatitis (AD) are evaluated primarily in placebo-controlled trials with binary efficacy outcomes. In a living systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA), we previously analysed continuous efficacy measures.

OBJECTIVES

To compare binary efficacy outcomes of systemic treatments for AD.

METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Embase, Latin American and Caribbean Health Science Information (LILACS) database, Global Resource for Eczema Trials (GREAT) database and trial registries up to 1 March 2023. We included randomized trials examining ≥ 8 weeks of treatment with systemic immunomodulatory medications for moderate-to-severe AD. We screened titles, abstracts and full texts and abstracted data independently, in duplicate. Outcomes included the proportion of patients achieving at least 50%, 75% and 90% improvements in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI 50, EASI 75 and EASI 90, respectively) and Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) success. We performed random-effects Bayesian NMAs to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% credible intervals (CrIs) between each intervention for each outcome.

RESULTS

Eighty-three trials with 22 122 participants were included in the systematic review. In analyses limited to trials of 8-16 weeks' duration with predominantly adult populations, abrocitinib 200 mg daily (OR 1.5, 95% CrI 1.1-2.2) and upadacitinib 15 mg daily (OR 1.7, 95% CrI 0.9-3.3) and 30 mg daily (OR 2.5, 95% CrI 1.3-5.0) were associated with higher odds of achieving EASI 50 vs. dupilumab. Abrocitinib 100 mg daily (OR 0.7, 95% CrI 0.5-1.0), baricitinib 2 mg daily (OR 0.4, 95% CrI 0.3-0.5) and 4 mg daily (OR 0.5, 95% CrI 0.3-0.7), and tralokinumab (OR 0.4, 95% CrI 0.3-0.6) were associated with lower odds of achieving EASI 50 vs. dupilumab. Results were similar for EASI 75, EASI 90 and IGA success.

CONCLUSIONS

Supporting results for continuous outcome measures, upadacitinib 30 mg daily and abrocitinib 200 mg daily are the most efficacious with regard to binary efficacy endpoints up to 16 weeks in adults with moderate-to-severe AD, followed by upadacitinib 15 mg daily, dupilumab and abrocitinib 100 mg daily. Dupilumab and both doses of upadacitinib and abrocitinib are more efficacious than baricitinib 4 and 2 mg daily and tralokinumab.

The Multidimensional Burden of Atopic Dermatitis Among Adults: Results From a Large National Survey

Importance

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is long term and burdensome. Studies investigating disease burden in adults are limited in scope with gaps in understanding of the adult patient lived experience.

Objective

To describe the multidimensional burden of AD among mainly US adults.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This survey study for an externally led patient-focused drug development meeting with the US Food and Drug Administration on adult patients with AD was conducted between August 1, 2019, and October 11, 2019. Data were analyzed betwean March 26, 2021, and June 29, 2021.

Main Outcomes and Measures

We used multivariable ordinal regression to assess associations between demographic and clinical variables and patient-reported overall AD impact scores (ordinal scale from 1 [no impact] to 5 [significant impact]).

Results

Among 1065 survey respondents, 114 (11%) were aged 18 to 24 years, 235 (22%) were 25 to 34 years, 242 (23%) were 35 to 50 years, 288 (27%) were 51 to 64 years, and 186 (17%) were aged 65 years or older; 881 (83%) were women. Four hundred eighty-nine (46%) participants reported low-moderate AD impact scores (2-3), 544 (51%) reported high-significant impact scores (4-5), whereas 32 (3%) reported no association of AD with disease burden (impact score, 1). Variables strongly associated with overall impact scores were current AD severity (moderate: OR, 4.13; 95% CI, 2.94-5.79; severe: OR, 13.63; 95% CI, 8.65-21.50 vs mild), and time spent managing AD (11-20 hours: OR, 2.67; 95% CI, 1.77-4.03, ≥21 hours: OR, 5.34; 95% CI, 3.22-8.85, vs <5 hours).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this survey study, AD severity and time spent managing symptoms showed the strongest associations with disease burden. This analysis highlights the multidimensional burden of AD in adults and emphasizes the need for more effective treatment strategies that reduce the time patients spend managing their AD.

Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty in the younger patient (≤65 years): a systematic review

The purpose of this study was to evaluate outcomes of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) in patients aged ≤65 years. MEDLINE, Embase, and PubMed were searched for relevant studies from database inception to September 18, 2018. All studies that evaluated RTSA in patients aged ≤65 years were included. Two independent reviewers screened all studies and performed a quality assessment. In the total of 6 studies reviewed, 245 participants underwent RTSA, with the most common indications being failed rotator cuff repair and rotator cuff tear arthropathy. Postoperative functional outcomes indicated a significant level of improvement across all reported outcomes at a mean follow-up of 49 months (range, 19-140 months) (P < .05). The pooled mean complication rate was 18% (n = 44/245), and this higher rate may be due to 36% of patients undergoing an RTSA for a failed arthroplasty procedure and the inclusion of older studies that lacked modern implants and techniques. Although there is a significant improvement in functional outcomes at midterm follow-up for RTSA in the patients aged ≤65 years, the pooled complication rates are high. However, the results of this systematic review are limited because of the heterogenous patient population undergoing surgery for various indications, including revision arthroplasty. Long-term studies and registry data are required using current modern techniques and implants to provide an accurate assessment of outcomes following RTSA in a young patient population.