A systematic review and meta-analysis of 1611 patients depicted that dupilumab use did not elevate the risk of COVID-19 infection among atopic dermatitis-treated patients. Amr Ehab El-Qushayri et al. aimed to determine the safety of dupilumab (a human monoclonal antibody) to manage atopic dermatitis during the COVID-19 infection era.

Notably, 7 databases including The New York Academy of Medicine, System for Information on Gray Literature in Europe, PubMed, Scopus, Virtual Health Library, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched for eligible studies. Utilizing the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tool and the National Institute of Health, the quality of evidence was rated. When the outcome was presented in ≥2 studies, a meta-analysis was carried out.

A total of 12 papers including 1611 people suffering from atopic dermatitis were included. The prevalence of coronavirus infection in atopic dermatitis patients administered with dupilumab was 3.2%. Notably, 5 patients experienced one or more COVID-19 symptoms such as dyspnea, cough, fever, loss of taste and smell, gastrointestinal symptoms, conjunctivitis, runny nose, and fatigue. Only 3 cases of coronavirus-infected people were hospitalized with a 4.5% prevalence. 

No deaths linked with COVID-19 were reported. Hence, the continuation of dupilumab in atopic dermatitis patients is recommended since it appears to be safe and pivotal for a better disease outcome.