This paper analyzes results from two phase III clinical trials (Measure Up 1 and Measure Up 2) testing upadacitinib, an oral medication for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. The analysis specifically looks at how the treatment affected patient-reported outcomes like itching, pain, sleep quality, and overall quality of life over 52 weeks.

The researchers conducted two identical randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either upadacitinib (15mg or 30mg daily) or placebo for 16 weeks, after which placebo patients were switched to upadacitinib. The researchers measured various patient-reported outcomes using standardized questionnaires and rating scales throughout the 52-week period.

The study included both adults and adolescents (ages 12-75) with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. Participants had to have inadequate response to topical treatments or a history of systemic treatment use. A total of 1,609 patients were enrolled across both trials, with similar baseline characteristics between groups.

Patients taking upadacitinib showed rapid improvements in symptoms within 1-2 weeks of starting treatment, including reduced itching, pain, and sleep disturbance. These improvements were maintained through 52 weeks. The 30mg dose generally showed better results than the 15mg dose. By week 52, about 50% of patients achieved minimal disease burden across multiple measures.

The authors concluded that once-daily upadacitinib treatment led to early and lasting improvements in symptoms and quality of life for patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. Both doses were effective, though the 30mg dose showed numerically better results. The treatment demonstrated a favorable benefit-risk profile through 52 weeks with no new safety concerns identified.