China Releases First 'Survey Report on the Living Conditions of Atopic Dermatitis Patients' and Launches Dupilumab with Innovative Patient Support Program

Shanghai, August 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Chinese Health Promotion and Education Association, in collaboration with Sanofi China, announced the official release of the first "Report on the Living Conditions of Patients with Atopic Dermatitis in China." After nearly six months of research and data compilation, the report focuses for the first time on patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, revealing the real-life circumstances of these patients in China: over 75% of physicians expressed dissatisfaction with existing treatment options; the majority of patients experienced sleep difficulties due to pruritus (itching), with alleviating itching being an urgent need for 75.8% of patients with moderate-to-severe disease; patients tend to develop the condition at a young age, with an average disease duration of nearly 10 years and overall body surface area affected exceeding 30%; more than 10% of patients exhibited suicidal tendencies; and 71.2% of patients reported having experienced discrimination.

Recently,FirstDupixent: A Targeted Biologic Agent for the Treatment of Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis in Adults^®Now fully launched across China, Sanofi China, in partnership with MedxHealth, has initiated the “Care Must Reach” patient assistance program to help more patients alleviate their financial burden. The detailed guidelines of the program were simultaneously announced today, leveraging innovative payment mechanisms to enable more patients to access effective and standardized treatment.

As one of the initiators of this research project, Professor Zhang Jianzhong, the 13th Chairman of the Dermatology and Venereology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association and Director of the Department of Dermatology at Peking University People’s Hospital, stated: “Although atopic dermatitis is a very common skin disease in clinical practice, awareness among physicians in China was previously inadequate, resulting in relatively low clinical diagnosis rates. International surveys indicate that atopic dermatitis ranks first in disease burden among non-fatal skin conditions. We hope to leverage this survey to further enhance the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and social security coverage for atopic dermatitis in China, promote sustained policy attention and support, and comprehensively help patients improve their quality of life. We are delighted to see the innovative biologic agent Dupixent^®Its market launch has brought hope to patients, offering potent, rapid, and sustained relief from symptoms such as pruritus and skin lesions.^{[1],[2],[3],[4]}, and its efficacy and safety have been confirmed by multiple clinical studies and real-world studies.”

Severe pruritus and comorbidity burden rank first in disease burden among non-fatal skin diseases

Moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) is a refractory, recurrent, inflammatory skin disease characterized primarily by recurrent episodes of intense pruritus and rash. Patients often present with comorbid atopic conditions such as allergic rhinitis and asthma. The prevalence of atopic dermatitis among adults in the United States is approximately 2–5%.^[5]Currently, China lacks high-quality nationwide epidemiological data, and the diagnosis rate of atopic dermatitis is also low. It is estimated that there are tens of millions of people with atopic dermatitis in China. Sleep deprivation and psychological issues caused by severe itching seriously affect patients' quality of life, while also imposing a significant economic burden on patients' families and society.

This survey on the living conditions of patients with atopic dermatitis was conducted via online questionnaires, involving 275 dermatologists and 1,362 patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. Nearly 90% of the patients were aged 18 or older and highly educated, representing a core segment of society. The report covers multiple dimensions, including disease characteristics, current diagnosis and treatment practices, psychological burden, and economic burden. With participation from clinical societies, research institutions, and patient organizations, it provides authentic first-hand data on patients’ quality of life and unmet needs in clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Disease Characteristics:Frequent, persistent, and intense pruritus are typical symptoms of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis; the disease onset occurs at a young age, with over half of the surveyed patients receiving their first diagnosis before the age of 20; the disease course is prolonged, with surveyed patients suffering from atopic dermatitis for an average of nearly 10 years, and the overall body surface area affected by lesions exceeds 30%.

Current Status of Diagnosis and Treatment: Reducing pruritus symptoms and achieving rapid rash resolution are the most urgent treatment needs for patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. 75.7% of physicians believe that existing treatment regimens have poor efficacy and numerous adverse reactions; 33% of patients hope to use medications with fewer side effects.

Heavy Social and Medical Burden:Over the past year, 22% of patients incurred annual out-of-pocket expenses exceeding RMB 12,000 for atopic dermatitis treatment; 68.7% of patients made an average of 1–3 outpatient visits per month, while the overall mean number of outpatient visits among all surveyed patients reached 29 per year.

Work and Life in Distress: Psychological Issues Should Not Be Overlooked:46.5% of patients with severe disease are unable to work or study, and 45.8% struggle to engage in normal social activities, perceiving themselves as unattractive and lacking self-confidence. Furthermore, over 10% of patients have experienced suicidal ideation, and nearly 2% have attempted suicide.

Public Awareness of Diseases Is Insufficient:71.2% of patients have experienced discrimination, with 63% reporting being stared at or discriminated against in public settings, and 42% being mistakenly perceived as having a contagious disease. Many patients have been refused handshakes, physical contact, or services by others due to their atopic dermatitis.

At the press conference, Professor Yao Zhirong, Director of the Department of Dermatology at Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and Board Member of the International Eczema Council (IEC), stated, “The heavy disease burden, severe psychological stress, and lack of public awareness are urgent issues that require attention. Clinicians should educate patients about the need for long-term treatment and careful management of atopic dermatitis. Furthermore, it is essential to emphasize the importance of standardized treatment; patient and empathetic doctor-patient communication can encourage patients to adhere more actively to diagnosis and therapy. In addition, society should provide greater psychological support to patients with atopic dermatitis to alleviate their mental burden, while also strengthening public health education to reduce discrimination against these patients.”

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According to experts, the lack of safe, effective, and long-term treatable options is also a major challenge for patients with atopic dermatitis. Currently, the treatment methods for atopic dermatitis are tailored based on the patient's condition, primarily involving topical medications such as locally applied glucocorticoids, oral glucocorticoids, and immunosuppressants. However, the use of oral glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants is a double-edged sword; long-term medication may lead to side effects, and there remains a lack of effective and safe approaches in clinical practice.

Shi Xingxiang, founder of the “China AD Home” patient support alliance for individuals with atopic dermatitis, shared the collective voice of patients: “The intense pruritus caused by atopic dermatitis, coupled with dual pressures from the social environment and internal psychological burden, constantly challenges patients’ physical, emotional, and mental well-being, preventing us from living, studying, and working normally like the general population. Now that we finally have access to internationally leading treatment options, we hope to garner greater attention from all sectors of society toward our community and actively promote the accessibility of innovative medications.”

Previously,The World's FirstDupixent, the only targeted biologic agent approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in adults^®From obtaining the Import Drug License (IDL) on June 28 to initiating drug supply on July 22, it took only 25 days, setting the fastest record for the market launch of a biologic agent in China. The product is now being rapidly supplied across 22 provinces nationwide.

To help alleviate the financial burden on patients, Sanofi stated that patients participating in the “Care Must Reach” patient support program, upon registering as members, can enroll in a cost-reimbursement group medical insurance plan with Magnesium Health Insurance as the policyholder. During the insurance period, each box of Dupixent^®(2 doses) Eligible for a claim application of RMB 4,000, with a cumulative maximum insurance coverage of RMB 20,000.

Wang Baikang, General Manager of Sanofi’s Global Business Division in China, stated: “Approved two years ahead of schedule, with drug supply available within 25 days, Dupixent”^®Pioneering the new “Sanofi China Speed.” Guided by our philosophy of putting patients first and leading with science, we bring revolutionary innovative therapies to patients suffering from diseases who lack effective treatment options. Dupixent^®"The launch marks Sanofi's entry into the field of immunology and inflammation in China. In the future, we will accelerate the introduction of new drugs in areas including immunology and inflammation, rare diseases and rare blood disorders, oncology, and neuroscience to meet the unmet health needs of Chinese patients and contribute to Healthy China 2030."

[1] Simpson E L, Bieber T, Guttman-Yassky E, et al. Two phase 3 trials of dupilumab versus placebo in atopic dermatitis[J]. New England Journal of Medicine, 2016, 375(24): 2335-2348.

[2] Silverberg J I, Yosipovitch G, Simpson E L, et al. Dupilumab treatment results in early and sustained improvements in itch in adolescents and adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: analysis of the randomized phase 3 studies SOLO 1 & SOLO 2, AD ADOL, and CHRONOS[J]. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2020.

[3] Blauvelt, Andrew, et al. "Long-term management of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis with dupilumab and concomitant topical corticosteroids (LIBERTY AD CHRONOS): a 1-year, randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial." The Lancet 389.10086 (2017): 2287-2303.

[4] de Bruin–Weller, M., et al. "Dupilumab with concomitant topical corticosteroid treatment in adults with atopic dermatitis with an inadequate response or intolerance to ciclosporin A or when this treatment is medically inadvisable: a placebo–controlled, randomized phase III clinical trial (LIBERTY AD CAFE)." British Journal of Dermatology 178.5 (2018): 1083-1101.

[5] Barbarot S, Auziere S, Gadkari A, et al. Epidemiology of atopic dermatitis in adults: results from an international survey[J]. Allergy, 2018, 73(6): 1284-1293.