Long-term Use of Systemic Treatments for Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis in Adults: A Monocentric Retrospective Study

Abstract

Data regarding systemic therapies in the management of atopic dermatitis are limited. The aim of this study was to provide evidence for the efficacy and tolerance of systemic immunosuppressive treatments for moderate-to-severe adult atopic dermatitis. A single-centre retrospective study was conducted. A total of 54 patients were prescribed systemic treatments between 2000 and 2014. Of these, 28 received methotrexate and 55.6% were considered as responders based on Physician’s Global Assessment, 17 received azathioprine (37.5% responders), 43 received cyclosporin A (65.9% responders) and 7 received a combination therapy with methotrexate and azathioprine (57.1% responders). These treatments were well-tolerated overall and few adverse events required discontinuation of treatment. Combination therapy associating methotrexate and azathioprine appears to be a promising treatment for patients who fail to respond to conventional monotherapies.