Systemic Treatments in Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis in Pediatric Patients up to 12 Years of Age: Real-World Treatment Outcomes from the PEDISTAD Registry

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology

Clinical Summary

View source

What was studied

Three-year interim analysis from an ongoing 10-year observational registry (PEDISTAD) comparing real-world outcomes in children under 12 years with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis treated with dupilumab, methotrexate, or cyclosporine. Outcomes (EASI, %BSA, worst itch/scratch, CDLQI, DFI) were assessed as change from therapy start to last observation (data cutoff or discontinuation).

Key findings

At last observation, mean EASI indicated mild disease in the dupilumab cohort and moderate disease in the methotrexate and cyclosporine cohorts. Pruritus improved more with dupilumab; QoL gains were similar with dupilumab and methotrexate but showed no significant change with cyclosporine; AD exacerbations and discontinuation rates were lowest with dupilumab, intermediate with methotrexate, and highest with cyclosporine, with fewer reported side effects on dupilumab.

Study limitations

Observational, non-randomized registry with a 3-year interim analysis. The abstract reports qualitative ('numerically greater') differences without sample size, absolute effects, or event counts.

Clinical implications

In routine care for children under 12 with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, dupilumab was associated with greater improvements in signs and itch and lower exacerbation and discontinuation rates than methotrexate or cyclosporine, with QoL benefits similar to methotrexate. Cyclosporine showed no significant QoL improvement in this analysis.