Dupilumab's Impact on Quality of Life in Children 6 Months to 5 Years

Research has continually shown that dupilumab (Dupixent; Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc) is an effective and safe treatment for atopic dermatitis (AD) in children aged 6 months to 5 years. An abstract presented by Andreas Wollenberg, MD, a dermatologist, allergist, and professor of dermatology and allergy at Ludwig-Maximilian University of Munich, Germany, at the Revolutionizing Atopic Dermatitis conference held April 9 to 11 in Baltimore, Maryland, highlighted the impact of the biologic in improving the quality of life (QOL) of children in this age group.

The children shown in the abstract were given dupilumab once every 4 weeks with a dosage dependent on their weight. They were also allowed to have been given steroids during the intervention.

In patients less than 4 years old, the Infants’ Dermatitis Quality of Life (IDQOL) score was comparable in both groups at the start (17.1 in placebo plus topical corticosteroid [TCS], 17.4 in dupilumab plus TCS). After 2 weeks, the score for dupilumab dropped to 10.7 and than reached 6.3 by week 16.

In comparison, the placebo was 15.0 at week 2 and 15.3 at week 16. Similar results were noted in the Children’s Dermatitis Quality of Life (CDQOL) scores in children aged 4 years old or older. Dupilumab plus TCS started at 17.5 and the placebo plus TCS started at 17.7.

By week 2, dupilumab had a IDQOL score of 12.6 and 7.5 at week 16. Placebo dropped to 15.3 in week 2 and was 15.0 by week 16. In both age groups, the week 16 scores for dupilumab were slightly higher than the lowest scores recorded: 6.6 for children aged less than 4 years and 6.6 for children 4 years and older. In both dupilumab groups, AD was still considered to have moderate impact on QOL, and they were both significantly better than the placebo groups that still had scores in the high impact on QOL quartile.

The research also looked at the Dermatitis Family Impact score to examine how the treatment affected the QOL in the family. As with the child’s own QOL, the scores were about the same for dupilumab plus TCS (17.2) and the placebo plus TCS (17.6). Improvement was seen in the dupilumab group by week 2 (11.9) and by week 4 the score was 9.1 and in the low impact on QOL quartile. The scores continued to decline, reaching 6.9 by week 16. In comparison, the lowest score reached in the placebo group was 14.1 at week 8.

Wollenburg concluded his presentation by emphasizing that treating AD in children aged 6 months to 5 years with dupilumab plus a TCS leads to rapid and significant improvement in QOL for not only the child, but the caregiver as well.

Reference:

Wollenberg A. Dupilumab treatment improves health-related quality of life in children aged 6 months to 5 years with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. Abstract presented at: Revolutionizing Atopic Dermatitis Meeting; April 11, 2022; Baltimore, MD.