Baricitinib treatment rapidly improves the four signs of atopic dermatitis assessed by Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) clinical subscores

• Published in: Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology 2024-04, Vol.38 (4), p.695-702
• Main Authors: Wollenberg, Andreas, Simon, Dagmar, Kulthanan, Kanokvalai, Figueras‐Nart, Ignasi, Misery, Laurent, Tangsirisap, Nithi, Spina, Lara, Lu, Na, Grond, Susanne, Eyerich, Kilian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0926-9959; 1468-3083
• DOI: 10.1111/jdv.19669

Background Baricitinib treatment in adults with moderate‐to‐severe atopic dermatitis (AD) has demonstrated rapid improvements in itch as well as AD sign severity and affected body surface area as assessed by the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) total score, whether administered as monotherapy or in combination with topical corticosteroids (TCS). As EASI clinical signs differ in time course and associated antecedents, the effects of baricitinib on each individual clinical sign are of interest. Objectives In this post hoc analysis, we aimed to investigate the effects of baricitinib on individual EASI subscores, namely excoriation, oedema/papulation, erythema and lichenification, in both monotherapy and TCS combination therapy trials. Methods We analysed the percent change from baseline in individual EASI subscores from three phase‐III, double‐blind, 16‐week trials of baricitinib in monotherapy (BREEZE‐AD1/BREEZE‐AD2) and TCS combination therapy (BREEZE‐AD7) cohorts via mixed model repeated measures (MMRM). Results Baricitinib 4 mg showed rapid and sustained improvements in all four clinical signs in both cohorts. Significant effects emerged at week 1 for excoriation, oedema/papulation and erythema scores in monotherapy (p