Upadacitinib is efficacious in reducing the alexithymic trait in adult patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: a prospective multicenter real-life study

Abstract

Background: Upadacitinib has proven to be well tolerated and provided superior efficacy compared to dupilumab after 16 weeks of treatment in adult patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in randomized clinical trials.

Methods: This multicentric, prospective, observational, real-life study included 120 adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD treated with Upadacitinib at 10 Italian hospitals. We examined both physician-reported outcome measures (EASI), patient-reported outcome measures (itch, sleep and pain score [NRS], Dermatology Life Quality Index [DLQI], alexithymia [TAS-20 score]), and serological markers after 16 weeks.

Results: A statistically significant reduction was recorded in all the scores analyzed, including the TAS-20 score (P<0.0001). The median (IQR) change from baseline to 16 weeks of treatment in the EASI score was 90.1 (11.3) (P<0.0001). The EASI50, EASI75 and EASI90 response rates were 95.8%, 82.5%, 50.8% (P<0.0001).

Conclusions: This is the broadest multicenter real-life study in AD patients treated with upadacitinib, analyzing the reduction of the TAS-20 score. Noteworthy is the rapidity of drug effectiveness in reducing the extension of lesions and itching after just four weeks.