Sex Lives Better After Atopic Derm Drugs, Patients Say

A new study shows that nearly 90% of patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) reported their condition negatively affected their sexual well-being, but treatment with advanced therapies led to substantial improvements.

The research, published in Dermatitis, found that before treatment, 80% of patients felt unattractive, 68% avoided sexual activity and 68% felt ashamed or embarrassed about their skin with sexual partners. After 52 weeks of treatment with either Cibinqo (abrocitinib) or Dupixent (dupilumab), these numbers dropped significantly.

Although previous research has documented how atopic dermatitis impacts overall quality of life through issues like sleep disturbance and itching, less attention has been paid to its effects on intimate relationships. This study provides new evidence that treating the condition with advanced therapies can improve both physical symptoms and sexual well-being.

“In our study, both male and female groups had AD negatively impacting their sexual well-being significantly, and both groups demonstrated significant improvement with advanced therapy treatment,” the study authors wrote. “Ultimately, this study confirms the burden AD has on patients’ sexual lives and introduces the knowledge of how abrocitinib and dupilumab can improve sexual well-being.”

Led by Nicole Asamoah, of McMaster University in St. Catharines, Canada, the study followed 44 patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis who received either Cibinqo or Dupixent over a one-year period. The research used an eight-question survey to assess various aspects of patients' sexual well-being both before and after treatment.

Results showed the treatments helped across multiple measures. The percentage of patients reporting rejection due to skin changes fell from 57% to zero. Those experiencing skin pain during intimacy decreased from 39% to 9.1%. The improvements occurred regardless of patients' age, sex or skin type.

After one year of treatment, approximately three-quarters of patients achieved clear or almost clear skin, correlating with significant improvements in their quality-of-life scores.

Previous research has shown that individuals with atopic dermatitis experience poor body image, strain on personal relationships, difficulty sleeping, and substantial economic burden. Studies have found that adults with the condition report poor overall health at nearly twice the rate of the general population, along with lower mental health scores and increased social isolation.

The approval of these advanced therapies has transformed treatment options for atopic dermatitis patients. Dupixent became the first biologic therapy approved by the FDA for the condition in 2017, while Cibinqo, part of a class of drugs called Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, received approval more recently. Before these medications, patients primarily relied on topical treatments and immunosuppressants.