A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine highlights the positive impact of long-term treatment with dupilumab (Dupixent; Regeneron and Sanofi) on patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), demonstrating notable improvements in both dermatological symptoms and comorbid anxiety and depression over a 2-year period.
The research, led by Ferrucci et al, addressed the frequent occurrence of psychiatric disorders and associated conditions among individuals with AD, including anxiety disorders and mood disorders. The study aimed to investigate how extended treatment with dupilumab affected psychiatric well-being in patients with moderate to severe AD.
The study enrolled 331 patients with AD from a dermatology outpatient clinic in Milan, Italy, who completed a 24-month course of dupilumab treatment. Patients were assessed using various scales and measures to evaluate AD severity, affective symptoms, and quality of life at baseline and throughout the treatment period.
Key findings from the study revealed significant improvements in psychiatric symptoms, including reductions in anxiety and depression, as well as improvements in clinical signs of AD following 24 months of dupilumab treatment. Specifically, 17.5% of patients reported residual depression symptoms, while 13% reported residual symptoms of anxiety post-treatment.
The study also identified factors associated with persistent depressive and anxiety symptoms after treatment, including baseline body mass index, impact of dermatological disease on quality of life, and severity of depressive symptoms at the start of therapy. Female gender was identified as a factor associated with persistent anxiety symptoms.
Despite the positive outcomes, researchers acknowledged limitations in the study design, such as the absence of randomization and a control group, as well as potential impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic and existing medical comorbidities among participants.
The study underscores the need for future randomized controlled trials involving larger and multi-centric patient populations to further validate these findings. Researchers emphasized the importance of collaborative care between dermatologists and mental health professionals, particularly for specific patient groups, to optimize treatment outcomes and address persistent psychiatric symptoms.
In conclusion, the study supports existing literature on the benefits of long-term dupilumab treatment in improving both dermatological and affective symptoms in patients with AD, highlighting the importance of integrated care approaches for optimal patient management.
