Use patterns of systemic immunomodulators in the United States before and after dupilumab approval in adults with atopic dermatitis.

PURPOSE: The patterns of dupilumab use, the first systemic drug approved for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD), is not well understood in the context of off-label systemic medications.

OBJECTIVE

To describe patterns of prescribing, switching and discontinuing systemic AD drugs, before and after the approval of dupilumab and understand variables associated with dupilumab prescription.

METHODS

Using longitudinal claims data, we identified patients with AD who initiated a systemic therapy (dupilumab, cyclosporine, methotrexate, azathioprine, mycophenolate) from March 2015 to February 2021, with a washout period of 1 year. We used Sankey plots to visualize longitudinal patterns of use at 3, 6, and 12 months and logistic regression to determine associates of dupilumab prescription.

RESULTS

The number of patients starting systemic treatment increased from 319 before dupilumab approval to 1358 after. Dupilumab use increased from 72% to 84%. In 2019-2020, 36% of patients discontinued systemic treatment within a year compared to 62% in 2015-2016. 92% of patients who started dupilumab in 2020-2021 had received no other systemic treatment before. Patients <60 years and those who used steroid-sparing topical treatments were more likely to receive dupilumab.

CONCLUSION

Among new users of a systemic treatment for AD, dupilumab was most used treatment by far.