Assessment of the Usefulness of a Th2 Cytokine Inhibitor for Treatment-Resistant Atopic Dermatitis : Centered on Evaluation of QOL

Abstract

Since atopic dermatitis (AD) has a psychosocial impact on both patients and their family, it is important to evaluate patients’ quality of life (QOL) as well as their clinical condition when treating AD. We investigated the clinical efficacy, safety, and effect on patients’ QOL of concurrent treatment with a Th2 cytokine inhibitor (suplatast tosilate) in an open-label trial in 18 adult AD patients with mild to moderate disease who were resistant to previous standard treatments for AD. The patients also applied corticosteroid ointment or tacrolimus ointment topically as needed. The global assessments after treatment revealed “moderately improved” or better in 13 (72.2%) of the 18 patients. Both the skin scores and pruritis had improved significantly. The quantity of topical corticosteroid ointment required decreased significantly during the course of treatment. Evaluation according to the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) revealed that treatment with suplatast tosilate significantly improved the QOL of the AD patients, especially their symptoms and feelings. The regimen of concurrent treatment with a Th2 cytokine inhibitor (suplatast tosilate) and standard treatment for AD in this study was an effective treatment for resistant AD and significantly improved the patients’ QOL.