Key clinical point: Pharmacological interventions aimed at reducing disease severity in patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD) are also effective for improving anxiety and depression.
Major finding: Pharmacologic interventions for AD led to significant improvements in anxiety levels (standardized mean difference [SMD] −0.29; 95% CI −0.49 to −0.09) and depression severity (SMD −0.27; 95% CI −0.45 to −0.08) and an overall significant improvement in Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale scores (SMD −0.50; 95% CI −0.064 to −0.35).
Study details: This meta-analysis of seven phase 2b or 3 randomized controlled trials included 4723 patients with AD who were treated with either abrocitinib, baricitinib, dupilumab, tralokinumab, or placebo.
Disclosures: This study did not disclose any funding source. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
Source: Hartono SP, Chatrath S, Aktas ON, et al. Interventions for anxiety and depression in patients with atopic dermatitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Rep. 2024;14:8844 (Apr 17). Source