NICE recommends new treatment option for chronic hand eczema

NICE has recommended a new treatment option for moderate to severe chronic hand eczema, saying it could ‘transform’ patients’ lives.

An estimated 62,000 patients could be eligible for delgocitinib (Anzupgo) cream which could reduce the need for specialist care.

It will be made available through specialist services, ‘ensuring people receive appropriate clinical oversight from healthcare professionals experienced in diagnosing and treating chronic hand eczema’, NICE said.

Patients will be eligible if topical corticosteroids have not worked or are not suitable, the guidance which has to be implemented within 90 days said.

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Clinical trials have shown that delgocitinib is more effective at improving symptoms of chronic hand eczema than alitretinoin or ‘vehicle cream’

The committee said while it had not been directly compared in a clinical trial with phototherapy, an indirect comparison suggested that delgocitinib was more effective.

NICE said the decision could ‘transform’ the lives of people with a debilitating condition.

It could also save the NHS money due to the fact that many patients currently rely on phototherapy sessions, which involve regular visits to hospital.

Delgocitinib is likely to need less monitoring than current treatments which can cause significant side effects, particularly alitretinoin, the committee noted.

The approval came after the company presented new evidence to NICE’s independent appraisal committee.

Chronic hand eczema can be especially challenging for people working outside or in professions like childcare, catering and healthcare where repeated handwashing is necessary, NICE said.

It can have a substantial impact on quality of life and current treatments are not effective for some people.

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Delgocitinib has a 12-month shelf life once opened, making it easier for people to restart treatment when their symptoms flare up without needing a new hospital appointment, NICE added.

Andrew Proctor, chief executive of the National Eczema Society, said: ‘We use our hands all the time, whether it’s texting, operating machinery, caring for others or simply going about daily life.

‘Yet for many people living with chronic hand eczema, even routine tasks can become painful and life-limiting.

‘NICE’s positive recommendation of delgocitinib is a brilliant outcome outcome for the eczema community in the UK who struggle so badly with chronic hand eczema.’

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Meanwhile, a recent large study has found it makes no difference to eczema symptoms if people bathe daily or weekly.

Researchers said the findings from a UK randomised controlled trial meant people with eczema could choose how often they wanted to bathe without worrying it was making their condition worse.

A version of this article was first published by our sister title, Pulse.