Baricitinib vs. hydroxychloroquine for cutaneous lichen planus: an assessor-blind randomized controlled trial.
Hossein Kargar, Mohammad Ali Esfandiari, Mehdi Ghahartars et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This randomized controlled trial compared the efficacy and safety of baricitinib and hydroxychloroquine in 32 patients with cutaneous lichen planus over 12 weeks. Baricitinib demonstrated a greater reduction in Lichen Planus Activity and Damage Index (LiPADI) scores, decreasing from 14.20 to 1.07, compared to hydroxychloroquine's decrease from 12.18 to 5.27 (P = 0.03).
Key findings
- Baricitinib reduced LiPADI scores from 14.20 to 1.07, while hydroxychloroquine reduced scores from 12.18 to 5.27 (P = 0.03).
- Pruritus severity improved significantly in both groups, with baricitinib decreasing from 8.33 to 0.21 (P < 0.001).
- Patient satisfaction increased more with baricitinib, from 4.46 to 8.78, compared to hydroxychloroquine's increase from 4.63 to 6.90 (P = 0.001).
Why it matters
The findings suggest that baricitinib may offer superior short-term benefits for patients with cutaneous lichen planus compared to hydroxychloroquine, potentially influencing treatment decisions in this challenging condition.
What to keep in mind
The study's small sample size, short follow-up, and nondouble-blind design limit the generalizability of the results.