Key clinical point: Baricitinib vs. dupilumab demonstrated similar efficacy in reducing atopic dermatitis (AD) severity and improving quality of life (QoL), with more rapid improvement in itch.
Major finding: A dose of 4 mg baricitinib vs. dupilumab as monotherapy or with topical corticosteroids (TCS) was more likely to show ≥4-point improvement in itch scores at 4 weeks among patients with inadequate response or intolerance to topical treatments (dupliumab: relative risk [RR] 2.62; P = .013; TCS: RR 2.16; P = .029). However, both drugs showed similar efficacy across Eczema Area and Severity Index 75, itch, and QoL scores at 16 weeks.
Study details: This data comes from an indirect treatment comparison analysis of nine placebo-controlled trials included 3364 adults with moderate-to-severe AD and inadequate response or intolerance to topical treatments or cyclosporine who received dupilumab ± TCS or baricitinib ± TCS.
Disclosures: This study was supported by Eli Lilly and Company. Five authors declared being employees or shareholders of Eli Lilly. The other authors reported ties with various sources, including Eli Lilly.
Source: de Bruin-Weller MS et al. Indirect treatment comparison of baricitinib versus dupilumab in adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2022 (May 11). Doi: 10.1007/s13555-022-00734-w