Dupilumab for Chronic Prurigo: Case Series on Effectiveness, Safety, and Quality of Life

Background: Chronic prurigo (CPG) is a pruritic skin disease, characterized by an itch-scratch cycle and scarring. It reduces patients’ quality of life (QoL). Dupilumab is a monoclonal human IgG antibody that inhibits signaling of the interleukin 4 (IL-4) and interleukin 13 (IL-13) pathways through blockade of the IL-4 receptor. Patients with CPG who receive dupilumab often report great improvement in itch and overall QoL. We therefore reviewed our experience in order to follow up on QoL, safety, and treatment response in patients with CPG who received dupilumab. Methods: We conducted a real-world retrospective single-center case series. Outcomes were assessed by phone interviews and photographs using validated questionnaires and scores. Demographic data were obtained from the hospital files. Follow-up was up to 2 years. We assessed QoL with the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the Itchy quality of life questionnaire (ItchyQoL). Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) was used to assess itch. Prurigo lesions were documented with the Prurigo activity and severity score (PAS). Results: Ten patients were included in this study. Results were reported up to 2 years after treatment with dupilumab. The response variables for DLQI, ItchyQoL, NRS, and PAS analyses showed a statistically significant decrease over time (DLQI: p ≤ 0.0001 [−0.84; −1.27], ItchyQoL: p ≤ 0.0001 [−9.89; −18.69], NRS maximum and average: p ≤ 0.0001 [−0.52; −0.86] and p ≤ 0.0001 [−0.55; −0.94], and PAS number of lesions: p = 0.0005 [−1.70; −5.28]). The percent decrease after 1 year of treatment (this estimate is based on model estimates) ranges from −42% to −82%. Four (40%) patients reported mild side effects. No serious side effects were reported. Conclusion: Dupilumab treatment of CGP for up to 2 years is associated with improved QoL and less itching

From seed to plant to cob: analyses on maize data

<p>The scope of this series of documents is primarily didactic. <br><br>Data is collected from the following experiment: maize seeds are planted in different soils and at different depths. Day of germination is recorded, together with other variables. Seedlings, as well as seeds that have not sprouted yet, are then transferred in a field. Finally, for each maize plant, its height and the weight of the cob are recorded.<br><br>The reader can find information about <br>- the design of the experiment<br>- the data itself and how it was prepared<br>- some preliminary graphical analysis<br>- the modelling of different types of responses (normal linear models, binomial models, GAMs, normal linear models with random effects).</p><p>The data is accompanied by R scripts to reproduce all analyses.</p><p>Disclaimer: This is a first version, accomplished with a limited time budget. Updated versions might be uploaded in the future.</p&gt