INTRODUCTION: Itch and pain are two of the most common and burdensome symptoms for moderate to severe Chronic Hand Eczema (CHE). Here, we assess changes in itch/pain in patients with moderate to severe CHE treated with delgocitinib cream 20 mg/g or cream vehicle for 16 weeks.

METHODS: In a pooled DELTA 1 (NCT04871711)/DELTA 2 (NCT04872101) analysis (delgocitinib [n = 639]; cream vehicle [n = 321]; twice-daily), the Hand Eczema Symptom Diary captured patient-reported itch/pain severity on a numeric rating scale. Changes in itch/pain from baseline were assessed daily during week 1 and weekly from week 1 to 16.

RESULTS: In delgocitinib-treated patients, a statistically significant least square mean reduction from baseline was observed for itch from day 1 ([delgocitinib cream/cream vehicle] 0.75/0.32; P < 0.001) and pain from day 3 (0.98/0.58; P = 0.001) after the first application. Among patients with ≥ 4-point baseline itch/pain score, a significantly greater percentage of delgocitinib-treated patients achieved ≥ 4-point reduction from week 2 (14.2%/17.3%) versus cream vehicle (6.3%/6.9%; P < 0.001). Reductions were maintained up to week 16 with delgocitinib cream treatment. Delgocitinib cream was well tolerated.

CONCLUSION: Early onset of itch/pain reduction was observed within week 1 for delgocitinib-treated patients, thereby providing further support of the use and efficacy of delgocitinib cream in adults with moderate to severe CHE.