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SwedAD, a Swedish nationwide registry for patients with atopic dermatitis receiving systemic pharmacotherapy, was launched on 1 September 2019. We describe here the establishment of a user-friendly registry to the benefit of patients with atopic dermatitis. By 5 November 2022, 38 clinics had recorded 931 treatment episodes in 850 patients with an approximate national coverage rate of 40%. Characteristics at enrolment included median Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) 10.2 (interquartile range 4.0, 19.4), Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM) 18.0 (10.0, 24.0), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) 11.0 (5.0, 19.0) and Peak Itch Numerical Rating Scale-11 (NRS-11) 6.0 (3.0, 8.0). At 3 months, median EASI was 3.2 (1.0, 7.3) and POEM, DLQI, and NRS-11 were improved. Regional coverage varied, reflecting the distribution of dermatologists, the ratio of public to private healthcare, and difficulties in recruiting certain clinics. This study highlights the importance of a nationwide registry when managing systemic pharmacotherapy of atopic dermatitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eczema is a common chronic disease that affects both children and adults, and may have an adverse impact on school performance, as it is characteristically pruritic, and hence may lead to poor concentration and inadequate sleep. The aim of this study was to elucidate the relationship between eczema and self-reported difficulties keeping up with school education. The study was based on cross-sectional questionnaire data collected in schools among all 9th graders (15–16 years old) within a Swedish county. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess the association between having eczema and self-reported difficulties keeping up with school education. A total of 2,620 pupils participated (50.1% female). An increased odds ratio (OR) of selfreported difficulties keeping up with school education was found in adolescents with eczema compared with those without eczema after adjustment for sex and family residence (OR 2.13, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.32–3.44), and with additional adjustment for sleeping problems, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, allergy, rhinitis, asthma, and alcohol consumption (adjusted OR 1.78, CI 1.05–3.00). Eczema may be a relevant risk factor for difficulty keeping up with school education in adolescents. However, studies that can assess temporality, based in different settings with objective reports of both eczema and self-reported difficulties at school, are needed to confirm these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study published in the British Journal of Dermatology examined the association between atopic dermatitis (AD) and cognitive function among males in Sweden. The study found that contrary to previous beliefs, AD was actually associated with poorer cognitive function. The researchers used a sibling-comparison model to control for familial environmental confounding and genetic influences. The study suggests that even a modest reduction in cognitive function may be associated with increased risks of other adverse psychological outcomes. The findings highlight the potential adverse influence of AD on cognitive development. [Extracted from the article]

Skin pain is a common and bothersome symptom of atopic dermatitis (AD) that is associated with a substantial burden. To assess the efficacy of abrocitinib vs. dupilumab on skin pain in patients with moderate-to-severe AD. Data from patients aged ≥18 years who received oral abrocitinib 200 mg once daily (QD) or subcutaneous dupilumab 300 mg once every 2 weeks in combination with topical therapy in the phase 3 trials JADE COMPARE (NCT03720470) and JADE DARE (NCT04345367) were analysed. Data from patients who received abrocitinib 100 mg QD or placebo in the JADE COMPARE trial were also included in this analysis. Patients rated their skin pain using the Skin Pain Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) item of the Pruritus and Symptoms Assessment for Atopic Dermatitis (PSAAD) instrument ['How painful was your skin over the past 24 h?' on a scale from 0 (not painful) to 10 (extremely painful) ] in JADE COMPARE or the Skin Pain Numerical Rating Scale [SP-NRS, which queried patients for the severity of their 'worst skin pain' in the past 24 h on a scale from 0 (no skin pain) to 10 (worst skin pain imaginable)] in JADE DARE. Least squares mean (LSM) changes from baseline and proportions of patients who achieved a ≥4-point improvement from baseline in PSAAD skin pain score or SP-NRS were assessed through Week 16 (JADE COMPARE) or Week 26 (JADE DARE). The JADE COMPARE analysis (Skin Pain NRS item of the PSAAD) was performed post hoc, whereas the JADE DARE analysis (SP-NRS) was prespecified. At Week 2 of JADE COMPARE, LSM change from baseline in PSAAD skin pain score was greater with abrocitinib 200 mg [−2.8 (95% CI, −3.1, −2.5)] than with abrocitinib 100 mg [−2.1 (−2.3, −1.8)], dupilumab [−2.0 (−2.3, −1.8)], or placebo [−1.3 (−1.6, −0,9)]; improvements were sustained through Week 16 of treatment with abrocitinib 200 mg [−4.1 (−4.4, −3.8)], abrocitinib 100 mg [−3.3 (−3.6, −3.0)] and dupilumab [−4.0 (−4.2, −3.7)] compared with placebo [−1.8 (−2.2, −1.4)]. In JADE DARE, LSM change from baseline in SP-NRS was significantly greater with abrocitinib 200 mg vs. dupilumab at Week 2 [−3.7 (−3.9, −3.4) vs. −2.6 (−2.8, −2.3); P < 0.0001] and week 12 [−4.5 (−4.7, −4.2) vs. −4.0 (−4.3, −3.8); P = 0.0116]; no significant differences were observed between the treatment arms at Week 16 [−4.4 (−4.7, −4.2) vs. −4.2 (−4.4, −4.0); P = 0.16], Week 20 [−4.8 (−5.0, −4.5) vs. −4.5 (−4.7 vs. −4.2); P = 0.06] or Week 26 [−4.5 (−4.8, −4.3)] vs. −4.3 (−4.6, −4.1); P = 0.27]. The proportions of patients who achieved a ≥4-point improvement in PSAAD skin pain score at week 2 of JADE COMPARE were greater with abrocitinib 200 mg (43%) than with abrocitinib 100 mg (23%), dupilumab (24%) or placebo (14%). At Week 16, these proportions increased to 76% (abrocitinib 200 mg), 57% (abrocitinib 100 mg) and 70% (dupilumab) compared with placebo (29%). In JADE DARE, the proportions of patients who achieved a ≥4-point improvement in SP-NRS were significantly greater with abrocitinib 200 mg vs. dupilumab at Week 2 (58% vs. 36%; P < 0.0001) and Week 12 (71% vs. 61%; P = 0.0098) but not at subsequent timepoints. Similar to previous findings on the effect of abrocitinib on itch, these results suggest that abrocitinib 200 mg provides greater early skin pain relief in patients with moderate-to-severe AD compared with dupilumab, but the difference between the treatments diminishes with time. At earlier time points, skin pain improvement with abrocitinib 100 mg was similar to that with dupilumab. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Factors associated with depression, anxiety, and severe mental illness among adults with atopic eczema or psoriasis: a systematic review and meta--analysis. For example, the systemic treatment of people with AE or psoriasis could be beneficial for those with depression or anxiety. [Extracted from the article]