How Network Meta-Analysis Informs Systemic Treatments for Atopic Dermatitis
Abstract
Network meta-analysis (NMA) is an increasingly popular statistical technique employed in clinical research. NMA is extremely appealing because it allows clinicians to compare a wide range of treatments used for the same condition in a single analysis. This is helpful in the clinic setting when deciding between treatment options for a patient with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD). It allows us to help patients understand the relative efficacy of various medications.
In an ideal world, randomized clinical trials would be conducted comparing all possible relevant treatment options. In reality, that would not be practical or feasible, particularly in a rapidly expanding therapeutic field. While there are only a few systemic treatment options currently available for AD, that number is set to increase steadily over time. We only need to look to psoriasis and the myriad treatments approved over the last two decades to understand that planning head-to-head clinical studies for all comparisons is not realistic. NMA helps us circumvent this problem.
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