Scratch the Surface: MOJEH reveals the groundbreaking new treatment changing the lives of eczema sufferers across the UAE
We all know someone who suffers from eczema. Or who had it as a child, but happily ‘grew out of it’. An umbrella term for a group of auto-immune diseases that affect the body’s largest organ, it’s the most common skin condition in the world, affecting around 10-20 per cent of adults globally, and 20 per cent of children, the incidence of which has increased threefold in industrialised countries in recent decades.
Defined as an incurable, chronic immune-mediated systemic disease with a debilitating effect, atopic eczema, otherwise known as atopic dermatitis, is the most common form of eczema, with around 15 per cent of all UAE patients visiting dermatologists at public hospitals and clinics suffering from the condition.
Caused, in part, by an underlying inflammation in the body that is believed to be driven by an over-active immune system, moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis is characterised by rashes often covering much of the body, and can include intense, persistent itching and skin dryness, cracking, redness, crusting and oozing of lesions which can become infected, causing long-lasting and extreme pain.
Whilst treatable for the majority of sufferers with ointments, steroid-based creams, immunosuppressant pills and moisturisers, living with persistent itching and reoccurring rashes is a life-long struggle for many eczema patients, creating myriad health problems that are not only skin-deep.
“Atopic dermatitis remains the most common skin condition, and yet there are still many misconceptions surrounding its symptoms and management,” says Dr. Anwar Al Hammadi, consultant dermatologist and president of Emirates Dermatology Society.
“People with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis can experience unbearable symptoms. Most endure uncontrollable itch and bleeding lesions, which can be severely debilitating. In addition, they face the ongoing trauma of frequently disrupted sleep, increased anxiety and depression because of their disease. So to say this condition negatively impacts upon their quality of life is an understatement,” he explains.
With no breakthroughs on advanced ways to treat eczema in the last 18 years, the reveal of a development in biologic medicine offers significant new hope for those whose eczema condition is seemingly beyond control.
Jointly developed by biopharmaceutical companies Sano and Regeneron under a global collaboration, Dupilumab is a first-in-class biologic medicine approved by the European Commission (EC) to treat adults with moderate- to-severe atopic dermatitis who are suitable candidates for systemic therapy.
With an EC approval of the medicine based upon data from the global LIBERTY AD clinical trial program which included around 2,800 adults living with severe atopic dermatitis, the therapy demonstrated a significant reduction in the signs and symptoms of the disease and an improvement in quality of life.
Amongst the first countries to introduce this innovative therapy, the UAE joins North America, Germany, Japan and the Netherlands in the use of Dupilumab. Similar to an insulin shot, the injection is taken under the skin by patients whose eczema does not respond to traditional therapy methods, and administered every two weeks for as long as recommended by the dermatologist.
“In the past, there weren’t many options to help adult patients who were su ering severely with atopic dermatitis. It was just something that had to be managed to the best of their abilities with the treatments options on offer,” explains Dr. Al Hammadi.
“But while conventional treatments are effective and very important in the battle against this type of eczema, what is incredibly difficult for patients with the chronic form of the disease is compliance.”
“If you have 40 per cent of the surface area of your body affected, you can imagine just how many tubes of cream you need to treat the skin, and how patient and dedicated you have to be to keep on top of the required applications. So to now have a safe and highly-effective alternative that we are able to o er to our patients is exceptional.”
Admittedly, the therapy is not cheap, with patients required to buy injections on a monthly basis to control their eczema. But with a number of medical insurance packages covering the cost of the medicine, and a handful of support programmes available to offer financial assistance in certain cases, the therapy is being cited as a life-long solution for chronic atopic dermatitis sufferers.
Whilst it’s early days for Dupilumab in the UAE, Dr. Al Hammadi believes that the therapy is a milestone in the ongoing battle against the condition.
“I have a 34-year-old patient who awoke every morning of his life to blood on his sheets because he scratched his skin so badly in his sleep. After having the injection for a month, he says there is no more blood on the sheets. He says this injection has changed his life. And this is what we want to happen for every one of our patients who suffer as much as he did.”
