Real-world evidence on the benefits of optimal itch relief and skin clearance in atopic dermatitis management: a study from the TARGET-DERM AD registry.

Challenge

Treat-to-target frameworks in AD emphasize achieving both itch relief and skin clearance as optimal endpoints, but real-world evidence on whether achieving these combined targets independently and synergistically drives patient-reported outcomes had not been established, limiting the evidence base for these ambitious treatment goals.

Solution

The TARGET-DERM AD registry was used to conduct a cross-sectional analysis evaluating the independent and combined effects of optimal itch (WI-NRS 0/1) and skin clearance (vIGA-AD 0/1) on POEM, DLQI, NRS-Sleep, and NRS-Pain outcomes, using logistic regression to quantify their relative contributions.

Impact

Demonstrating that achieving both optimal itch and skin clearance produces synergistic PRO improvements—greater than either alone—provides the real-world evidentiary foundation for ambitious treat-to-target endpoints in AD trials and supports label claims for therapies capable of achieving both simultaneously.