Patient Considerations for New Systemic Treatments for Prurigo Nodularis

Melodie Young, MSN, A/GNP-C, discusses how prurigo nodularis imposes a significant physical and mental burden on patients, with chronic itching, skin lesions, and emotional distress leading to a reduced quality of life and increased anxiety and depression.

Melodie Young, MSN, A/GNP-C, discusses how diagnosing prurigo nodularis can be challenging due to its similarity to other pruritic conditions, and highlights the importance of recognizing key features and patient subtypes with increased prevalence to accurately differentiate it from conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

Melodie Young, MSN, A/GNP-C, discusses how the FDA-approved systemic treatments for prurigo nodularis, dupilumab and nevolizumabnemolizumab, differ in their mechanisms of action—dupilumab targeting IL-4 and IL-13, and nevolizumabnemolizumab targeting IL-31—and highlights their similar efficacy in reducing pruritus and lesion size, while also considering differences in safety profiles and treatment considerations.

Melodie Young, MSN, A/GNP-C, discusses how to effectively communicate with patients about managing itch in prurigo nodularis, offering practical tips such as setting realistic expectations, emphasizing the importance of consistent skin care routines, and exploring both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic strategies to alleviate discomfort.

Melodie Young, MSN, A/GNP-C, discusses how clinical and practical considerations, such as disease severity, patient preferences, and comorbidities, should guide the selection of treatment for prurigo nodularis, and emphasizes the importance of educating patients about the role of systemic therapies, addressing their concerns, and improving awareness of available treatment options.

Increased awareness for prurigo nodularis may help to usher in a new era of timelier and more targeted treatment.