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BackgroundThe validated Investigator Global Assessment for Atopic Dermatitis (vIGA-AD™) is a standardized severity assessment for use in clinical trials and registries for atopic dermatitis (AD).ObjectivesTo investigate the reliability, validity, responsiveness and within-patient meaningful change of the vIGA-AD.MethodsData were analysed from adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD in the BREEZE-AD1 (N = 624 patients; NCT03334396), BREEZE-AD2 (N = 615; NCT03334422) and BREEZE-AD5 (N = 440; NCT03435081) phase III baricitinib clinical studies.ResultsAcross studies, test-retest reliability for stable patients showed moderate-to-good agreement [range of Kappa values for Patient Global Impression of Severity-Atopic Dermatitis (PGI-S-AD), 0·516-0·639; for Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), 0·658-0·778]. Moderate-to-large correlations between vIGA-AD and EASI or body surface area (range at baseline, 0·497-0·736; Week 16, 0·716-0·893) supported convergent validity. Known-groups validity was demonstrated vs. EASI and PGI-S-AD (vIGA-AD for severe vs. moderate EASI categories at baseline, P

Summary: Background: Baricitinib, an oral selective Janus kinase (JAK)1 and JAK 2 inhibitor, was shown to improve the signs and symptoms of moderate‐to‐severe atopic dermatitis (AD). Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of baricitinib with background topical corticosteroids (TCS) in patients with moderate‐to‐severe AD and inadequate response, intolerance or contraindication to ciclosporin A (CA). Methods: In this double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled, phase III study, patients were randomized 1: 1: 2: 1 to placebo (N = 93), baricitinib 1 mg (N = 93), 2 mg (N = 185) or 4 mg (N = 92) with background TCS. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients receiving baricitinib 4 mg or 2 mg (+ TCS) vs. placebo + TCS who achieved ≥ 75% improvement from baseline in the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI 75) at week 16. Results: Baricitinib 4 mg + TCS was superior to placebo + TCS for EASI 75 (4 mg: 32%, placebo: 17%, P = 0·031) at week 16 and for improvements in itch, skin pain and number of night‐time awakenings owing to itch. Improvements were maintained through 52 weeks of treatment. Treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were more common with baricitinib than placebo (+ TCS); most were mild or moderate. The most frequent TEAEs with baricitinib 4 mg + TCS were nasopharyngitis, herpes simplex, influenza and headache. No deaths or deep vein thromboses were reported. Conclusions: Baricitinib 4 mg + TCS improved the signs and symptoms of moderate‐to‐severe AD through 52 weeks of treatment in patients with inadequate response, intolerance or contraindication to CA. The safety profile was consistent with previous studies of baricitinib in moderate‐to‐severe AD. What is already known about this topic?Ciclosporin A is indicated for the treatment of atopic dermatitis that is refractory to topical therapies. However, its use is limited by safety concerns and it may not provide adequate response for some patients.Baricitinib, an oral selective Janus kinase (JAK)1 and JAK2 inhibitor, has been shown to improve the signs and symptoms of moderate‐to‐severe atopic dermatitis as a monotherapy or in combination with topical corticosteroids. What does this study add?Baricitinib combined with background low‐ or moderate‐potency topical corticosteroids provided improvements in the signs and symptoms of moderate‐to‐severe atopic dermatitis through 1 year of treatment in patients with a contraindication, intolerance or failure to respond to ciclosporin A.The most common treatment‐emergent adverse events with baricitinib 4 mg were nasopharyngitis, herpes simplex, influenza and headache.The safety profile was consistent with previous studies in patients with moderate‐to‐severe atopic dermatitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]