Korean J Dermatol.  2023 Feb;61(2):86-91.

Real-World Experience of the Efficacy and Safety of Upadacitinib 15 mg in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis in Korea

• Na HM
• Choi EJ
• Jeon SH
• Chang ZF
• Choi ME
• Moon IJ
• Jung JM
• Lee WJ
• Chang SE
• Lee MW
• Won CH

Abstract

Background
Upadacitinib is an oral Janus kinase1 (JAK1)-selective inhibitor, which showed a quick and significant effect on patients with atopic dermatitis in several phase 3 clinical studies. Although, an increasing number of studies have reported data on the real-world efficacy and safety of upadacitinib for the treatment of atopic dermatitis, no studies have yet been published in Korea.
Objective
We assessed the real-world efficacy and safety of upadacitinib for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in Korean patients.
Methods
A total of 17 patients with atopic dermatitis who received 15 mg of oral upadacitinib everyday for 16 weeks, were included in this retrospective single-center study. Based on electronic medical records, the clinical characteristics, Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) score, and adverse events were investigated.
Results
The mean EASI score was significantly reduced at 4 weeks of upadacitinib treatment (8.81±9.00) and gradually reduced at week 8 (5.70±7.38), week 12 (4.55±6.23), and week 16 (4.58±6.74) (p＜0.001). At week 16, 61.54%, 30.77%, and 15.38% of patients achieved EASI 75, EASI 90, and EASI 100 responses, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between EASI 75 and EASI 90 by age or gender at week 16 (p＞0.05). A total of 13 people (76.5%) had adverse events, of which acne was the most common. In all patients, the symptoms were mild and self-limited, and no patient discontinued treatment.
Conclusion
Upadacitinib was effective and safe for Korean patients with atopic dermatitis in real-world clinical practice.

Keyword

Atopic dermatitis; Janus kinase; Safety; Treatment; Upadacitinib