부산대학교 도서관

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory skin disease which associated with increased systemic and vascular inflammation. Although dupilumab has been proved to be effective for severe AD, researches analyzing inflammation-reducing effect of dupilumab through imaging test have been rarely reported. Objectives: To assess the effect of dupilumab in reducing systemic and vascular inflammation in severe AD patients using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT). Methods: Patients with severe AD underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging prior to the start of dupilumab treatment. Scans were conducted again at the time of Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) of 75 was achieved after the treatment of dupilumab initiated. Results: When compared with baseline imaging, there was no statistically significant difference in the standardized uptake values of major organs and aorta at the time of achieving EASI 75 after dupilumab treatment in severe AD patients. Conclusion: While dupilumab treatment showed significant clinical improvement in severe AD patients, it did not induce any changes on systemic and vascular inflammation in 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging.