Omalizumab Improves Severe Atopic Dermatitis

Investigators from multiple institutions in the United Kingdom conducted a randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy of omalizumab, an anti-immunoglobulin (Ig)E medication, for treatment of severe eczema in children. Study participants were patients 4–19 years old with severe eczema, defined as an objective Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index of >40, that was unresponsive to topical or systemic therapy. SCORAD is a validated instrument to assess eczema and has possible scores ranging from 0 to 103; both objective and subjective components are included. At enrollment, additional baseline measurements included total IgE level, Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI, a validated measure of the physical signs of eczema) score, and Children’s Dermatology Life Quality Index/Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI/DLQI) score. Study patients were randomized …