Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a complex disease with clinical heterogeneity. Nemolizumab is a novel interleukin (IL)-31 receptor alpha inhibitor that has demonstrated efficacy in managing moderate-to-severe AD. However, there are no head-to-head trials that compare nemolizumab with other anti-IL-4/13 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). To support clinical decision-making, the comparative efficacy and safety of nemolizumab versus other advanced systemic therapies, in combination with topical treatments, were estimated using network meta-analyses (NMAs). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating advanced systemic therapies for moderate-to-severe AD in adolescents (12-17years) and adults (≥ 18years) were identified through a systematic literature review (searches conducted 31March 2025, CRD42023492392). The trial results were analyzed in fixed- and random-effects Bayesian NMA models. Outcomes included ≥ 75% improvement in the Eczema Area Severity Index (EASI-75), an Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) score of 0 or 1 (IGA success), treatment-emergent adverse events, and discontinuations due to adverse events. Analyses for all endpoints were conducted at week16. This publication presents a targeted comparison of licensed anti-IL mAbs. Twenty-two RCTs were included in the NMA. When measuring response through EASI-75 and IGA success, no statistically significant differences were observed between nemolizumab and all other anti-IL mAbs in CsA-experienced adults or CsA-naïve adolescents. In CsA-naïve adults, only lebrikizumab demonstrated statistically superior efficacy against nemolizumab. Nemolizumab demonstrated a comparable safety profile with other available treatments. The results of this study suggest that compared with other anti-IL mAb therapies for the treatment of moderate-to-severe AD, nemolizumab has similar efficacy in achieving EASI-75 and IGA success, and a comparable safety profile. This is in addition to nemolizumab's well-demonstrated efficacy in improving itch. Nemolizumab may be particularly beneficial in clinical settings where patients and physicians are seeking to manage AD with a well-tolerated therapeutic.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease with a hallmark symptom of pruritus. We developed Worst Pruritus Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)-a single-item, patient-reported outcome measure-to assess itch severity in clinical trial populations of adults with moderate-to-severe AD. The objective of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of Worst Pruritus NRS and determine its appropriateness for use in clinical trials assessing the efficacy of treatments among adults with moderate-to-severe AD. We used data from a subset of 267 participants in a phase2 clinical trial of rocatinlimab (NCT03703102; N = 274) to confirm reliability, validity, and ability to detect change in Worst Pruritus NRS. We estimated and confirmed a meaningful within-patient change (MWPC) threshold using anchor- and distribution-based methods. All intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were ≥ 0.86, providing robust evidence for test-retest reliability. Evidence supported construct validity, including known-groups validity (all P < 0.0001). There were moderate, positive correlations between scores on Worst Pruritus NRS and supportive measures at week16, including Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) question1 (itch item) (r = 0.78), DLQI (r = 0.66), Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) (r = 0.50), Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) (r = 0.46), Body Surface Area of Involvement (BSA) (r = 0.40), and SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) itch item (r = 0.97). On average, patients with better DLQI question1 scores, EASI, and IGA classifications achieved better (i.e., lower) scores on Worst Pruritus NRS at week16 (P < 0.0001). Ability to detect change was supported with moderate-to-strong and positive correlations between Worst Pruritus NRS change scores and changes in supporting measures. MWPC estimates confirmed the commonly applied 4-point threshold value and a range of 3 to 4 points as indicative of meaningful within-patient change. Worst Pruritus NRS is a reliable and valid patient-reported outcome measure to assess itch severity in clinical trial settings among adults with moderate-to-severe AD.

Psychodermatology studies the connection between skin and mental health and is especially relevant in older adults, where visible skin changes and aging often reflect psychological well-being. This is an understudied area in dermatology. This narrative review examined literature on the current concepts and management strategies of geriatric psychodermatology. Research databases such as MEDLINE, PubMed, Springer, Google Scholar, and others were investigated, with a total of 131 papers identified. No publication date limits were included. There is a complex and fascinating relationship between the skin and the brain often referred to as the "skin-brain axis." Common psychodermatologic disorders in the elderly include obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, delusional infestation, and psychogenic pruritus, and these are often difficult to diagnose and manage in the elderly. We also summarize secondary dermatoses from anxiety, depression, stress, and dementia in the elderly. Comprehensive geriatric assessment extends beyond physical health and includes dermatologic, psychiatric, cognitive, and psychosocial domains. Comprehensive care requires collaboration among dermatology, psychiatry, and geriatrics, often incorporating both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic approaches. We also describe dermatologic signs of elder abuse, dementia complicating psychodermatoses, and review treatment strategies of these conditions. Psychocutaneous dermatology is a relevant and understudied area that dermatologists should familiarize themselves with. Multidisciplinary care including pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic strategies are often required for the management of these patients.

Dermocosmetics are widely used to complement dermatologic care, yet context-specific guidance remains limited for populations with Fitzpatrick skin types III-V. We convened a national expert panel to generate transparent, reproducible recommendations across ten common clinical scenarios. Egyptian dermatologists participated in round1 (national survey, n = 601) and round2 (expert panel, n = 16), both with anonymous ratings and inter-round feedback, using the RAND/UCLA appropriateness method (median bands 1-3/4-6/7-9; disagreement index (DI) = interpercentile range (IPR)/IPR adjusted for symmetry (IPRAS); DI > 1.0 = disagreement). Per-item outputs included median, P30, P70, IPR (30-70), asymmetry Index (AI), IPRAS, DI, and final category (appropriate/uncertain/inappropriate). We additionally benchmarked classifications against prior consensus, guidelines, and key evidence frameworks. Across ten vignettes and 30 ingredients (30 ingredients × 10 scenarios = 300 items; multiple raters per item in round1), 158 (52.7%) items were appropriate (median ≥ 7; DI ≤ 1.0), 135 (45.0%) were uncertain, and 7 (2.3%) were inappropriate. Photoprotection had the highest appropriateness across scenarios (broad-spectrum/tinted SPF), with a small number of DI-flagged uncertain exceptions. Hydration/barrier agents (e.g., hyaluronic acid, peptides, ceramides) were appropriate in stress-aging, post-laser, and post-procedure care. Pigment modulators (tranexamic acid, arbutin, niacinamide, vitaminC, glabridin) were appropriate in melasma/post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and chronic sun-induced pigmentation. Classical retinoids were inappropriate for postpartum/breastfeeding and immediate post-procedure; lower-irritancy retinoid esters were context-dependent. Botanicals showed inconsistent support. Panel disagreement (DI > 1.0) declined from 38.3% in round1 to 15.7% (47/300) in round2. Patterns largely aligned with prior consensus; visible-light-mitigating photoprotection and timing-specific retinoid use were emphasized for darker phototypes. We provide a transparent, regionally relevant framework for dermocosmetic ingredient selection. Sun protection and barrier support are foundational; pigment modulators are scenario-specific; retinoids require selective use; botanicals remain adjunctive.

The German national psoriasis registry PsoBest collects long-term data on the effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of systemic treatments for psoriatic disease. Here, we describe patient characteristics and the safety and effectiveness of apremilast for the treatment of psoriatic disease in Germany based on data from PsoBest. This was a descriptive analysis of observational data collected from PsoBest using cross-sectional (baseline characteristics) and longitudinal (outcomes, safety) designs. PsoBest recruits patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis who initiate a new systemic psoriasis treatment. Adverse events (AEs) and sociodemographic descriptors were reported for patients exposed to apremilast during the study period (safety cohort). Clinical and patient-reported outcomes were collected 3, 6, and 12months after the initiation of apremilast monotherapy (outcomes cohort). From January 15, 2015 to June 30, 2020, 595 registry patients were exposed to apremilast; 417 were treated with apremilast monotherapy. Patients taking apremilast had a higher mean age and higher proportions of comorbidities such as cardiovascular or metabolic disease compared with those taking other nonbiologic systemic or biologic drugs. The most common nonserious AEs were drug ineffectiveness (14.1%), diarrhea (9.4%), nausea (7.1%), and headache (6.1%). The highest incidence rates of nonserious and serious AEs of special interest were for infections and infestations per system organ class (8.03/100 patient-years) and malignant or unspecified tumors (2.50/100 patient-years), respectively. Improvements in Dermatology Life Quality Index, patient-defined treatment benefits (Patient Benefit Index), body surface area, and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index were observed after 3, 6, and 12months of apremilast treatment. Patients in routine care treated with apremilast in the German PsoBest registry experienced treatment benefits and improved skin, psoriasis severity, and quality of life. Safety was consistent with the established safety profile. Apremilast is safe and effective for treating moderate to severe psoriatic disease.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory disease, significantly impacting a patient's quality of life. To date, a substantial proportion of patients present an insufficient response to available treatment options. Lebrikizumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin 13, has shown a promising clinical benefit in phase 3 trials, however, real-world data on the effectiveness and safety of lebrikizumab for atopic dermatitis (AD) are limited and mostly restricted to Asian populations. Aim of this study was to evaluate the real-world effectiveness and safety of lebrikizumab in patients with AD. This retrospective study included 35 patients from a largely homogenous Central European population with moderate to severe Atopic Dermatitis treated with lebrikizumab at the Dermatology Department of the St. Josef-Hospital in Bochum between December 2023 and April 2025. Eczema area and severity index (EASI), SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD), peak-pruritus (PP)-numerical rating scale (NRS) and dermatology life quality index (DLQI) were assessed during the treatment. Lebrikizumab reduced all clinical indices by week 4, with improvements maintained through week 16. At week 24, the achievement rates for EASI-50 (50% reduction in EASI), EASI-75 (75% reduction in EASI) and EASI-90 (90% reduction in EASI) were 100%, 75% and 75%, respectively, and the SCORAD-50 (50% reduction in SCORAD) response rate was 64.2%. The proportions of patients achieving a ≥ 4-point reduction in the PP-NRS and in the DLQI at week 24 were 55.8% and 91.6%, respectively. No new safety signals were observed. Lebrikizumab demonstrated favorable real-world effectiveness and safety over 24weeks in patients with moderate-to-severe AD, supporting its use in routine clinical practice.

Combined platelet-rich plasma and hyaluronic acid (PRP-HA) offers a promising nonsurgical technique for tissue regeneration through synergistic efficacy and longevity effects. This study aims to investigate PRP-HA's efficacy and safety for neck rejuvenation. This 32-week prospective trial enrolled 30 Thai participants with mild-to-moderate neck aging. Treatment consisted of three monthly intradermal PRP-HA injections to the anterior neck surface, with follow-ups at 2weeks, and 1, 2, 3, and 6months posttreatment completion. Assessment included skin firmness, elasticity, biometric parameters, pain scores, and adverse effects. Of 29 completing participants, neck skin firmness improved 54% from baseline at 3-month posttreatment completion, increasing to 65% at 6months (p < 0.0001). While gross elasticity initially improved at 1month posttreatment (p = 0.0217); it subsequently declined. The 6-month follow-up showed substantial reductions in melanin and erythema (p < 0.01). Sustained improvements were observed in hydration through study completion (p < 0.01). Sebum levels decreased significantly after the first two treatments and at 3months posttreatment (p < 0.05). No significant changes appeared in skin texture, wrinkles, and brightness. Most participants reported 51-75% improvement after the third treatment, maintaining through 6months. No severe adverse effects were reported. PRP-HA demonstrates safe and effective improvements in neck skin firmness, hydration, and pigment and sebum regulation, with benefits lasting 6months after three treatment sessions. However, variable effects on elasticity and modest results on wrinkles, texture, and brightness warrant further controlled trials to further elucidate and confirm its rejuvenative properties on the neck. This trial is registered under the Thai Clinical Trials Registry (TCTR20230212003).

Treatment adherence is crucial for managing chronic diseases, including plaque psoriasis. In Bulgaria, patients with plaque psoriasis can receive treatment with reimbursed biologics, such as guselkumab, if they meet National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) requirements. These requirements include stringent disease criteria and a complex administrative process. The objective of this analysis is to assess the proportion of patients adhering to the guselkumab administration schedule, as specified in the summary of product characteristics (SmPC), after the first continuation of the NHIF treatment approval period (approximately 48weeks). This was a prospective, multicenter, single-country, noninterventional study. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients adhering to the guselkumab administration schedule as outlined in the SmPC after the first continuation of the NHIF treatment approval period. Secondary endpoints included evaluating guselkumab's safety and efficacy, as well as patient profile. This study included 39 female and 61 male patients with plaque psoriasis, with a mean age of 51.5years. Overall, 95% of enrolled patients adhered to the guselkumab dosing regimen (i.e., received all seven doses) at 50weeks after study initiation. Treatment with guselkumab led to a rapid and sustained reduction in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores, with 84.4% of patients achieving PASI 90 and 42.7% reaching PASI 100 by the final visit. Significant improvements were also observed in absolute PASI, body surface area (BSA), and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores, indicating marked disease control and enhanced quality of life across the study period. There were ten adverse events during the study, and no new safety signals for guselkumab were identified. Bulgarian patients treated with guselkumab adhered well to treatment in this study, with an adherence rate comparable to that observed in randomized clinical trials and higher than the drug survival rates reported in real-world studies. This may be owing, in part, to the existing patient support programs specific to Bulgaria. Treatment with guselkumab in real-life clinical practice in Bulgaria was well tolerated and effective in reducing signs and symptoms of plaque psoriasis, consistent with the overall efficacy and safety profile demonstrated in randomized controlled trials.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition often associated with skin pain and sleep disturbance. The AD Skin Pain Numeric Rating Scale (SP-NRS) and Sleep Disturbance NRS (SD-NRS) are single-item patient-reported outcome measures developed to assess AD-related skin pain and sleep disturbance severity, respectively, in AD clinical trials. We used data from three randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trials of rocatinlimab in adults (aged ≥ 18years) (ROCKET-IGNITE and ROCKET-SHUTTLE) and adolescents (aged ≥ 12 to < 18years) (ROCKET-ASTRO) with moderate-to-severe AD to assess the reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the AD SP-NRS and SD-NRS. Clinical outcome assessments (COAs) supported the psychometric evaluation, and we estimated meaningful change thresholds for the AD SP-NRS and SD-NRS using anchor-based methods, which we confirmed with distribution-based methods. We included data from both the treatment arm and placebo in our analyses, and we analyzed results from adult and adolescent populations separately. This psychometric analysis sample used 262 adults (ROCKET-IGNITE, n = 145; ROCKET-SHUTTLE, n = 117) and 109 adolescents (ROCKET-ASTRO, n = 109), subsets from the initial data cuts of the respective clinical trials, in the psychometric analysis sample. Both AD SP-NRS and SD-NRS scores demonstrated high test-retest reliability for both adults and adolescents (intraclass correlation coefficients ≥ 0.80) and moderate-to-strong (|r| ≥ 0.30) positive correlations with most supporting COAs. Anchor-based meaningful within-patient change threshold ranges derived for AD SP-NRS and SD-NRS scores supported both 3-point and 4-point improvement thresholds for characterizing clinically meaningful changes. The AD SP-NRS and SD-NRS are reliable, valid, and responsive measures for assessing moderate-to-severe AD in adults and adolescents in clinical trials. The meaningful change thresholds identified in this study can be used in future clinical trials to interpret treatment effects.

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a chronic neuropathic pain condition that disproportionally affects older adults. First-line oral treatments often yield suboptimal relief and may cause systemic side effects and drug-drug interactions. Effective topical treatments offer the potential to address this significant unmet medical need in PHN. This CASPAR analysis evaluated real-world effectiveness and safety of the high-concentration capsaicin patch (HCCP) in patients with PHN. Real-world data were evaluated for a large PHN cohort extracted from the German Pain e-Registry as part of the retrospective, noninterventional, multicohort CASPAR study. Patients received one to four HCCP treatments over 12months. Patient-reported outcomes included average pain intensity (API), quality of life (QoL), sleep impairment, mood, concurrent pain medications, and safety. This analysis included 961 patients with PHN (mean age: 63.8years, female: 69.7%; mean pain duration: 3.3years) receiving one (n = 187), two (n = 209), three (n = 207), or four HCCP treatments (n = 358). Mean 24-h API decreased from 61.8 at baseline to 46.8by month 3 (P < 0.001), and to 31.8 at month 12 (P < 0.001). Patients receiving four treatments had the greatest API reductions (63.7 at baseline versus 19.6 at month 12; P < 0.001), whereas improvements were lost in those who discontinued treatment. While ≥ 30% API response rates were similar across treatment groups at month 3 (25.6-30.7% of patients), those receiving additional treatments showed continued improvement, peaking at 99.7% by month 12 after four HCCP treatments. Trends were similar for other patient-reported outcomes, including QoL, sleep, and mood. Concomitant pain medication use decreased over time. Most adverse drug reactions were mild and application site-specific. HCCP is an effective and well-tolerated topical treatment for patients with PHN, including older adults. After one treatment, improvements were noted in API, QoL, sleep, and mood outcomes, alongside decreased concomitant pain medication use, with progressive improvements following additional treatments. A Graphical Abstract is available for this article.