Background: Chronic nodular prurigo (CNPG) is a multifactorial skin disease characterized by itchy papules and nodules, usually resistant to standard treatment and associated with markedly impaired quality of life.
Objective: To describe dupilumab effectiveness and tolerability in treating adult patients with CNPG refractory to both topical and systemic therapies.
Methods: Retrospective, multicenter study including adult patients affected by CNPG, who were treated with dupilumab for at least 16 weeks.
Results: Twenty-seven CNPG patients showed clinical improvement in terms of skin lesions, itch, sleeplessness, and quality of life. A consistent proportion of patients (24/27; 88.9%) had at least 16-week continuous treatment and achieved Investigator Global Assessment score 1 (11/24; 45.8%). An increased number of patients achieved at least a 2-grade reduction in Investigator Global Assessment score (19/24; 79.2%). Numeric rating scale values for itch and sleeplessness decreased from 8.9 to 2.7 and from 8.2 to 1.7, respectively (P < .001) after 16-week therapy. Ten patients achieved 36 weeks of continuous treatment while maintaining clinical efficacy.
Limitations: Major limitations included lack of validated assessment tools at the initial data collection, a limited cohort of treated patients, and a short-term observation period.
Conclusion: Dupilumab was proven effective in reducing itch and improving CNPG skin lesions.
Keywords: atopic dermatitis; dupilumab; itch; nodular prurigo.
Copyright © 2020 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.