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Atopic dermatitis

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Atopic Dermatitis Clinical Trials

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Researchers at the University of Arizona College of Medicine have published new findings on the racial and ethnic disparities in global atopic dermatitis clinical trials. Their study, published in the journal Dermatology, found that despite growing awareness of the impact of atopic dermatitis on skin of color patients, the majority of participants in these trials are still white. The study analyzed data from 24 completed randomized controlled trials on ClinicalTrials.gov, comparing the demographics of participants from July 2019 to December 2023 to data from a previous study published in Br J Dermatol.

Key Takeaways:

  • The majority of participants in atopic dermatitis clinical trials are white, despite growing awareness of the impact of the disease on skin of color patients.
  • North America hosted the highest percentage of clinical trials, with the majority of participants from the United States.
  • The demographics of participants in atopic dermatitis clinical trials have not changed significantly since the previous study published in Br J Dermatol in 2020.
  • The researchers stress the importance of increasing reporting and enrollment of diverse participants in clinical trials to improve patient diversity and representation.
  • Sahar Davoudi, lead author of the study, notes that racial and ethnic disparities in clinical trials are a significant concern, particularly in diseases like atopic dermatitis that disproportionately affect skin of color patients.
  • Caitlyn B. Dagenet, a co-author of the study, highlights the need for increased awareness and education about the impact of atopic dermatitis on diverse populations.
  • The study's findings have significant implications for the development of effective treatments and therapies for atopic dermatitis, particularly for skin of color patients.

Statistics:

  • 24 completed randomized controlled trials met the search criteria for the study.
  • The majority of participants in atopic dermatitis clinical trials (70.8%) were white.
  • Asian participants accounted for 15.4% of participants, while black/African American participants accounted for 10.4%.
  • North America hosted the highest percentage of clinical trials (45.8%).
  • The majority of participants in atopic dermatitis clinical trials (72.3%) were from the United States.
  • The study found that the demographics of participants in atopic dermatitis clinical trials have not changed significantly since the previous study published in Br J Dermatol in 2020.

Sources:

  • Ethnoracial and Geographic Disparities in Global Atopic Dermatitis Clinical Trials: An Update. Dermatology, 2025;241(4):410-414.
  • Dermatology can be contacted at: Karger, Allschwilerstrasse 10, Ch-4009 Basel, Switzerland.
  • The news correspondents report that additional information may be obtained from Sahar Davoudi, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona, United States.
  • The publisher's contact information for the journal Dermatology is: Karger, Allschwilerstrasse 10, Ch-4009 Basel, Switzerland.

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