Analysis of Reddit Reveals JAK Inhibitor Questions Among Atopic Dermatitis Patients

April 2024 | Volume 23 | Issue 4 | e121 | Copyright © April 2024


Published online March 12, 2024

Kripa Ahuja MSa, Grace DeSena BAb, Peter Lio MDc

aEastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 
bThe University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 
cNorthwestern University, Department of Dermatology, Chicago, IL

their patients against the consumption of grapefruit as increased levels of the drug occur when co-administered with strong cytochrome 34A inhibitors (grapefruit, ketoconazole, clarithromycin), raising the risk of adverse reactions.8  

Finally, we came across a significant number of posts expressing widespread unease and doubt about JAKis. Despite shared decision-making and anticipatory guidance, it appears that there is still a great deal of trepidation surrounding these medications. 

CONCLUSION

The "eczeJAKs" subreddit has undergone substantial growth since its creation. We expect this subreddit to continue growing as JAKi use increases for AD.  Misinformation can easily spread given the posts are not verified by health professionals With such a high number of youths using social media, there is concern that the shift towards health-focused social media may weaken the patient-provider relationship and create mistrust towards conventional medicine, as in topical steroid withdrawal syndrome.9 

Furthermore, we believe that a significant amount of posts could have been prevented with greater patient education. A common theme throughout the subreddit was lack of proper time given from the dermatologist or the dermatologist being too busy to answer follow-up questions. Such concerns call for solutions that may entail interdisciplinary collaboration, online patient portals, patient support groups or advocacy organizations, better online education resources, and for better or for worse, even the use of artificial intelligence in the future.10

DISCLOSURES

D. Lio reports research grants/funding from AbbVie, AOBiome, and Regeneron/Sanofi Genzyme; is on the speaker's bureau for AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Galderma, Hyphens, Incyte, LEO Pharma, L'Oreal, MyOR Diagnostics, ParentMD, Pfizer, and Regeneron/Sanofi Genzyme; and reports consulting/advisory boards for AbbVie, Almirall, Amyris, AOBiome, Arbonne, ASLAN Pharmaceuticals, Burt's Bees, Castle Biosciences, Codex Labs, Concerto Biosciences (stock options), Dermavant, Eli Lilly, Exeltis, Galderma, IntraDerm, Johnson & Johnson, LEO Pharma, L'Oreal, Menlo Therapeutics, Micreos (stock options), Pfizer, Pierre-Fabre, Regeneron/Sanofi Genzyme, Theraplex, and Unilever. In addition, Dr. Lio has a patent pending for a Theraplex product with royalties paid, and is a Board member and Scientific Advisory Committee Member of the National Eczema Association. Kripa Ahuja reports no conflict of interest. Grace DeSena reports no conflict of interest.

REFERENCES

 
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  8. Rinvoq [package insert]. North Chicago, IL: AbbVieInc. https://www.rxabbvie. com/pdf/rinvoq_pi.pdf. Accessed June 7, 2023. 
  9. Ahuja, Kripa, DeSena, Grace, Lio, Peter. A response to "Steroid phobia on social media platforms." J Pediatr Dermatol. doi:10.1111/pde.15373 
  10. Hopkins AM, Logan JM, Kichenadasse G, et al. Artificial intelligence chatbots will revolutionize how cancer patients access information: ChatGPT represents a paradigm-shift. JNCI Cancer Spectr. 2023;7(2):pkad010. doi:10.1093/jncics/pkad010 

AUTHOR CORRESPONDENCE

Kripa Ahuja MS ahujak@evms.edu
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