Perception and Experience of Dupilumab in Atopic Dermatitis: A Real-Life Study.

Purpose: There are few data on the practical use of dupilumab by the patients and on the patients' experience with this treatment. Objective: The objective of our study was to describe the experience and perception of dupilumab treatment in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). Patients and Methods: We conducted a multicenter retrospective observational study including adult patients with moderate to severe AD treated with dupilumab between January 2017 and December 2021. Clinical characteristics were collected and a questionnaire was sent to all patients. It consisted of different parts including the injection method and different numeric rating scales (NRS) evaluating the patient's satisfaction and the constraints related to the treatment. Results: Eighty-two patients were included and the information was available for 77 patients who responded to the questionnaire. Injection of dupilumab was performed by a nurse in 47% (n=36) of patients and 43% (n=33) were autonomous. Injections were performed by a family member for 7 patients or by the general practitioner (1 patient). A wearing-off of the beneficial effect of dupilumab was reported by 47% of patients leading to shorten the dosing interval. In contrast, dose spacing was reported by 9 patients (11%). After a mean follow-up time of 29.7 ± 10.7 months (median: 27 months), drug survival was 72%. From the patients' perspective, the mean patient's satisfaction NRS score was 7.5 ± 1.8, and the constraints related to the treatment were scored at 3.1 ± 2.1 on NRS. Conclusion: Although AD treatments may contribute to the burden of the disease, dupilumab was associated with a lower burden score, likely reflecting both treatment efficacy and easy of use and patient satisfaction.

Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis as an Unusual Cause of Erythema Nodosum in a Malagasy Woman.

Introduction: Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a rare chronic inflammatory disease. Neoplastic and infectious etiologies must be ruled out. IGM is a diagnostic challenge for countries with high tuberculosis endemicity like Madagascar since it may clinically and radiologically mimic breast tuberculosis. We report a case of IGM associated with erythema nodosum in a Malagasy. Case Report: A 29-year-old primiparous woman came to a dermatological consultation for typical erythema nodosum lesions that appeared one month after a breast swelling. She had no particular medical history. Examination revealed typical erythema nodosum lesions on the legs, voluminous tender mass in the right breast. Bacteriological samples and tuberculosis test were negative. Imaging showed mastitis on the right breast with no evidence of malignancy. Histology revealed a non-caseating granulomas on the lobule of the right breast. As part of an etiological work-up, COVID-19 serology was performed with a positive IgG antibody. The diagnosis of IGM associated with erythema nodosum was evocated. The evolution was favorable under systemic corticosteroid therapy. Discussion: The cause of this uncommon lesion remains obscure. The extramammary localizations such as erythema nodosum and arthralgia suggest an autoimmune origin. This pathogenesis is also reinforced by a good response to systemic immunosuppression. In our patient, the etiological assessment of the mastitis revealed a chronic infection with SARS-CoV-2. Histopathology is the gold standard for the IGM diagnosis which demonstrates a lobulocentric granulomas without caseous necrosis. Oral corticosteroid therapy is the initial choice of treatment. Conclusion: Now, with several cases of concomitant IGM and EN reported, dermatologists should be aware that erythema nodosum can be one of the presenting signs of IGM, since the two conditions appear to be associated. The particularity of our case lies in the incidental discovery of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Is a chronic granulomatous disease associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, a coincidence?

Pyoderma Gangrenosum as Differential Diagnosis to Post-Operative Infection after Breast Plastic Surgery.

Background: Pyoderma gangrenosum is a scarce ulcerating inflammatory skin disease, which requires excluding other causes of ulceration such as infections, malignancies or connective tissue diseases. Case Report: We report the case of a 38-year-old woman who developed a progressive bilateral breast skin ulcer after breast plastic surgery, suspected initially with an early postoperative infection. The lack of improvement despite adequate antimicrobial drugs conducted to perform a skin biopsy, concluding to an ulcerated neutrophil dermatosis which led to the diagnosis of postoperative pyoderma gangrenosum. The clinical course was favorable with a systemic treatment based on steroids. Conclusions: In order to prevent debridement and extension of local complications, this case report illustrates the importance to suspect pyoderma gangrenosum as differential diagnosis of infection after surgery.