To estimate the use of systemic corticosteroids among patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) from March 1, 2017, to March 31, 2024, and characterize exposure duration and treatment patterns.
Key Findings:
One in five patients with AD was prescribed a systemic corticosteroid, highlighting a significant gap in adherence to clinical guidelines.
Nearly one-quarter of prescriptions exceeded 90 days in duration, raising concerns about long-term safety.
Real-world corticosteroid use is misaligned with clinical guidelines, indicating a need for improved treatment strategies.
Interpretation:
The findings indicate a concerning trend of systemic corticosteroid prescriptions among AD patients, despite guidelines recommending against their routine use due to safety risks, underscoring the need for alternative treatments.
Limitations:
The study relies on administrative claims data, which may not capture all clinical nuances and could introduce biases.
Lack of consistent definitions for short- vs long-term corticosteroid use in guidelines complicates assessment.
Conclusion:
There is a need for broader adoption of safer, corticosteroid-sparing treatments to improve the standard of care for patients with atopic dermatitis, emphasizing adherence to clinical guidelines.
by Christopher G. Bunick, Ruth Ann Vleugels, Mark Lebwohl, April W. Armstrong, Ayman Grada, Emma Xiaomeng Yue, Madhi Saranadasa, Lani Wegrzyn, Elvira D’Andrea
