Dupilumab Treatment May Raise Weight in Patients With AD
Patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) who underwent treatment with dupilumab showed a mean weight gain of 3.6 kg, with 67% of patients experienced an average increase of 5.9 kg. The findings suggested that dupilumab treatment may be associated with weight changes, potentially due to its effect on interleukin-4 signalling and metabolic regulation.
METHODOLOGY:
Researchers conducted a retrospective chart review of 30 patients with moderate-to-severe AD (mean age, 40.1 years; 30% women) who were prescribed dupilumab between April 2018 and December 2023.
Inclusion criteria required dupilumab treatment for more than 6 months with documented weight measurements within 3 months before initiation and at 3-6 months post-initiation.
The analysis included demographic data, prior treatments, disease severity, and weight changes. The mean weight before the commencement of dupilumab was 81.5 kg.
Prior systemic treatments included methotrexate (n = 17), ciclosporin (n = 11), azathioprine (n = 7), and mycophenolate mofetil (n = 3).
TAKEAWAY:
Overall, 67% of patients experienced weight gain, with a mean increase of 5.9 kg.
Additionally, 23% of patients showed no weight loss, and 10% of patients lost weight, with a mean loss of 3.7 kg.
The overall mean weight gain was 3.6 kg (median, 4 kg; range, -8 to 13 kg).
IN PRACTICE:
"The blockade of IL-4 [interleukin-4], a cytokine involved in inflammatory responses and metabolic regulation, might contribute to changes in appetite and energy balance," the authors wrote. "While there is evidence suggesting a possible association between dupilumab and weight gain, it is essential to approach this issue with a nuanced perspective. Future studies should aim to disentangle these complex interactions, considering both the biological mechanisms at play and the broader psychosocial factors that impact weight in patients with AD," they added.
SOURCE:
This study was led by Darren Roche, Department of Dermatology, Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. It was published online on June 30, 2025, in Clinical and Experimental Dermatology.
LIMITATIONS:
Multiple factors including disease severity, inflammation, lifestyle choices, and psychological stressors could have influenced patient weight. This study was limited by its retrospective design, a small sample size, and a short follow-up period.
DISCLOSURES:
This research did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. The authors reported having no conflicts of interest.
This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.
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