A recent study presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Congress highlights the substantial burden of chronic hand eczema (CHE) on patients' quality of life. The research, based on exit interviews from the Phase 3 DELTA 1 clinical trial (NCT04871711), investigated the impact of CHE on various aspects of patients' lives.
The DELTA 1 trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of delgocitinib cream versus a cream vehicle in patients with moderate to severe CHE. The qualitative post-trial interviews provided detailed insights into patient experiences and the overall burden of the disease. The study revealed that CHE significantly affects daily activities, emotional well-being, physical functioning, and social interactions.
Impact on Daily Life and Emotional Well-being
Almost all participants (96.3%) reported that CHE negatively impacted their daily activities, such as handwashing and chores, often requiring them to avoid soaps and chemicals. Furthermore, 88.9% of participants struggled with their emotional well-being, frequently experiencing feelings of frustration, embarrassment, sadness, and depression.
One patient shared, "I always kind of hid my hands quite a lot, especially when they’re [like] flaking. It’s not really pleasant for people to be looking at it and it made me very paranoid."
Another participant noted, "I think it’s affected my self-esteem…I have these hands that look about 20 years older than the rest of my body."
Workplace and Physical Functioning Challenges
The study also found that 84% of participants faced difficulties in the workplace, struggling with tasks such as writing, typing, and manual labor. A significant 44% reported missing work due to their CHE symptoms. Physical functioning was compromised for 70.4% of participants, who experienced challenges with holding, gripping, and touching objects. Sleep disturbances were also common, with 63% of patients waking up during the night due to painful symptoms.
Social and Intimate Relationships Affected
More than half of the participants (55.6%) reported issues with social functioning, including difficulties in sexual/intimate connections and family relationships. One patient recounted, "During the times my hands were really bad…we [had] a new grandchild and my hands were so scratchy and rough that I couldn’t touch her face."
Another patient explained, "We don’t cuddle on the sofa because it makes my skin prickly. Handholding is pretty much out. So I know that affects my wife definitely, as well as myself."
Delgocitinib Cream as a Potential Treatment
Delgocitinib cream, a first-in-class topical JAK inhibitor developed by LEO Pharma, has demonstrated efficacy in treating moderate to severe CHE. In the DELTA 1 trial, the cream was well-tolerated when applied twice daily (20 mg/g) for 16 weeks, showing greater efficacy compared to the cream vehicle. Germany was the first country to launch the treatment in early October.
The findings from this study underscore the significant impact of CHE on patients' lives, highlighting the need for effective treatments to alleviate the disease burden and improve overall quality of life.
