A systematic review investigating the proportion of clinical images shared in prospective randomized controlled trials involving patients with atopic dermatitis and systemic pharmacotherapy

Abstract

Purpose:

For individuals with atopic dermatitis (AD), interpreting scientific papers that present clinical outcomes including the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) and Investigators Global Assessment may be difficult. When compared to tabulated data and graphs, images from before and after treatment are often far more meaningful to these patients that ultimately will be candidates for the treatment. This systematic review focused on determining the frequency of clinical image sharing in AD research.

Materials and methods:

Conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, the review concentrated on randomized controlled trials that investigated predefined and available systemic treatments for AD. The search was performed in the MEDLINE database for studies published from the inception until 21 December 2023.

Results:

The review included 60 studies, encompassing 17,799 randomized patients. Across these studies, 16 images representing 6 patients were shared in the manuscripts, leading to a sharing rate of 0.3‰.

Conclusions:

The almost missing inclusion of patient images in clinical trial publications hinders patient understanding. Adding images to scientific manuscripts could significantly improve patients’ comprehension of potential treatment outcomes. This review highlights the need for authors, the pharmaceutical industry, study sponsors, and publishers to enhance and promote patient information through increased use of visual data.

Keywords:

• Atopic dermatitis
• data sharing
• Janus kinase inhibitor
• pharmaceuticals, biologic
• randomized controlled trial
• skin imaging
• systematic review

Disclosure statement

SP: With no relation to the present manuscript, Sam Polesie has received honoraria as consultant and/or speaker from AbbVie, Amgen, Astra Zeneca, Beiersdorf, Bristol Myers Squibb, Galderma, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Leo Pharma, Novartis, and Sanofi.

MA: With no relation to the present manuscript, Mikael Alsterholm has received speaker honoraria and/or been in advisory boards for AbbVie, Almirall, Eli-Lilly, Essity, LEO Pharma, Pfizer, and Sanofi-Genzyme, and is/has been an investigator for AbbVie, LEO Pharma, and Sanofi-Genzyme.

Additional information

Funding

None.