Efficacy of Dupilumab plus topical corticosteroids in children with atopic dermatitis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Introduction: Children with atopic dermatitis(AD) suffer from a high illness burden that has a detrimental influence on their quality of life . Objective: To determine whether topical corticosteroids and dupilumab are effective for treating atopic dermatitis in children. Methods: Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase, three well-known databases, were used to conduct a thorough literature search. Using a fixed-effects or random-effects model, the standard mean difference (SMD) or risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated.PROSPERO lists the trial protocol as CRD42023408546. Results: There were 3 investigations in total, and 896 people met the requirements for inclusion.The combined estimate showed that dupilumab plus topical corticosteroids had numerically greater efficacy in terms of EASI-50, EASI-75, EASI-90, and Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) score of 0 or 1.When compared to placebo, children who got topical corticosteroids and dupilumab scored considerably higher on the dermatological life quality index (CDLQI). The number of individuals who achieved IGA0/1 rose with the use of dupilumab and topical corticosteroids. Conclusions:In children with AD, dipilumab and topical corticosteroids may be used to treat the symptoms. Given the substantial variation between the research, the findings should, however, be regarded with caution.