The patient-reported disease burden in adults with atopic dermatitis: a cross-sectional study in Europe and Canada.

BACKGROUND: Cross-sectional data on patient burden in adults with atopic dermatitis (AD) from real-world clinical practice are limited. OBJECTIVE: This study compared patient-reported burden associated with adult AD across severity levels from clinical practices in Canada and Europe. METHODS: This study included adults (18-65 years) diagnosed with AD by dermatologists, general practitioners or allergists. Participants categorized as mild (n = 547; 37.3%), moderate (n = 520; 35.4%) or severe (n = 400; 27.3%) based on Investigator's Global Assessment completed a questionnaire that included pruritus and pain numerical rating scales, Patient-Oriented-Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis (PO-SCORAD) itch and sleep visual analogue scales, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Participants were also stratified by inadequate efficacy/intolerance/contraindication to cyclosporine [Cyclo; n = 62 (4 mild, 18 moderate, 40 severe)] and any systemic immunomodulatory agent [IMM; n = 104 (13 mild, 31 moderate, 60 severe)] and compared with the severe group excluding participants identified as Cyclo/IMM. RESULTS: Age was similar across severity groups; the proportion of women was higher in the mild group relative to severe (61.2% vs. 50.5%; P < 0.001). Compared with moderate and mild, participants with severe AD had more comorbidities, higher itch and pain severity, worse sleep and higher levels of anxiety and depression (all P < 0.001). Mean ± SD DLQI score among participants with severe AD (16.2 ± 6.9) showed a large effect on quality of life that was higher than those with moderate (10.2 ± 6.3) and mild (5.5 ± 4.9) (both P < 0.001). The burden among Cyclo and IMM subgroups was generally similar to that of participants with severe AD. CONCLUSIONS: Adults with AD reported a substantial burden across multiple domains that was significantly higher in those with severe disease. The burden among participants in the Cyclo/IMM subgroups was similar to those with severe AD.

Epidemiology of atopic dermatitis in adults: Results from an international survey.

BACKGROUND: There are gaps in our knowledge of the prevalence of adult atopic dermatitis (AD). OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of AD in adults and by disease severity. METHODS: This international, cross-sectional, web-based survey was performed in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, and Japan. Adult members of online respondent panels were sent a questionnaire for AD identification and severity assessment; demographic quotas ensured population representativeness for each country. A diagnosis of AD required subjects to be positive on the modified UK Working Party/ISAAC criteria and self-report of ever having an AD diagnosis by a physician. The proportion of subjects with AD who reported being treated for their condition was determined and also used to estimate prevalence. Severity scales were Patient-Oriented SCORAD, Patient-Orientated Eczema Measure, and Patient Global Assessment. RESULTS: Among participants by region, the point prevalence of adult AD in the overall/treated populations was 4.9%/3.9% in the US, 3.5%/2.6% in Canada, 4.4%/3.5% in the EU, and 2.1%/1.5% in Japan. The prevalence was generally lower for males vs females, and decreased with age. Regional variability was observed within countries. Severity varied by scale and region; however, regardless of the scale or region, proportion of subjects reporting severe disease was lower than mild or moderate disease. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of adult AD ranged from 2.1% to 4.9% across countries. Severe AD represented a small proportion of the overall AD population regardless of measure or region.

Real-world treatment in patients with HER2+ metastatic breast cancer : Treatment decisions in HER2+ mBC.

PURPOSE: The landscape of HER2+ metastatic breast cancer (mBC) treatment is changing due to the availability of new anti-HER2 drugs. The purpose of this study was to assess the current treatment patterns and sequences used in HER2+ mBC in the real-world setting. Secondary objectives were to describe the factors that influence the decision to prescribe a first and second-line antitumour treatment. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of 3068 cases in Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and the UK. RESULTS: First and second-line treatments and regimens are consistent with the clinical guidelines, especially for recently initiated treatments. Age and performance status (PS) of patients impact treatment patterns: younger patients received more innovative treatments than elderly patients. In addition, while most patients received a first antitumor treatment, the rate of patients who continue to subsequent lines of therapy is low (55% transitioning from 1st to 2nd line; 58% from 2nd to 3rd line). Age and PS are key factors in the decision to prescribe further antitumor treatment. CONCLUSION: Fewer HER2+ mBC patients than expected receive a second and third line therapy. Guidelines should make specific recommendations for older patients or those with a poor PS.