Eczema / Atopic Dermatitis vs Psoriasis β Clinical Trial Comparison
Eczema / Atopic Dermatitis
Chronic inflammatory skin condition with itching
VS
Psoriasis
Autoimmune rapid skin cell turnover
Eczema (atopic dermatitis) and psoriasis are the two most common chronic skin conditions in the UK. Both have been transformed by biologic therapies in recent years, and both have highly active clinical trial landscapes. However, they affect different immune pathways β eczema is driven by Type 2 inflammation while psoriasis involves Th17/IL-23 pathways β leading to different treatment targets in clinical trials.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Feature | Eczema / Atopic Dermatitis | Psoriasis |
|---|---|---|
| Primary symptoms | Itchy, dry, red skin patches; often flexural areas | Red, scaly plaques; often extensor surfaces, scalp, nails |
| Common subtypes | Moderate, severe, hand eczema, nummular | Plaque, guttate, pustular, nail, scalp, psoriatic arthritis |
| Severity scoring | EASI, SCORAD, IGA, DLQI, body surface area | PASI, BSA, DLQI, IGA, sPGA |
| Key immune pathway | Type 2 inflammation (IL-4, IL-13, IL-31) | Th17/IL-23 axis (IL-17, IL-23, TNF-Ξ±) |
| NICE first-line | Emollients + topical steroids; step-up to biologics/JAKi | Topical steroids, phototherapy; step-up to biologics |
| Prevalence in UK | ~15β20% of children, ~2β10% of adults | ~2β3% of population (1.5 million) |
Clinical Trial Availability
| Trial Aspect | Eczema / Atopic Dermatitis | Psoriasis |
|---|---|---|
| UK trials actively recruiting | 40β60 studies | 50β80 studies |
| Most common trial phase | Phase 2β3 | Phase 2β3 |
| Top interventions tested | Biologics (anti-IL4RΞ±, anti-IL13, anti-IL31), JAK inhibitors, topicals | Biologics (anti-IL17, anti-IL23, anti-TNF), JAK inhibitors, oral small molecules |
| Biologic trials | Major focus (dupilumab, lebrikizumab, tralokinumab) | Major focus (guselkumab, risankizumab, secukinumab, ixekizumab) |
| JAK inhibitor trials | Active (abrocitinib, upadacitinib, baricitinib) | Active (tofacitinib, deucravacitinib β TYK2) |
| Paediatric trials | Strong representation (common childhood condition) | Present but fewer than adult trials |
Exciting Emerging Treatments
Eczema / Atopic Dermatitis Trials
- Next-generation IL-13 inhibitors β more targeted than dupilumab
- IL-31 receptor antagonists β directly targeting itch pathway
- Topical JAK inhibitors β ruxolitinib cream for localised treatment
- Oral JAK inhibitors β abrocitinib and upadacitinib expanding options
- Microbiome therapies β skin and gut microbiome modulation
- Digital monitoring β AI-powered skin assessment apps
Psoriasis Trials
- IL-23 inhibitors β long-acting injections (every 12 weeks)
- Oral TYK2 inhibitors β deucravacitinib, first-in-class oral option
- IL-17 next-gen agents β improved efficacy and dosing
- PASI 100 as target β complete skin clearance now achievable for many
- Psoriatic arthritis combination trials β treating skin + joints together
- Precision dermatology β genetic markers guiding treatment selection
π‘ Not sure which trials you qualify for?
Use our Smart Matcher to answer a few questions about your condition and we'll find the most relevant trials for your specific situation β free, instant results.
Eligibility Differences
Eczema / Atopic Dermatitis Trial Criteria
- Confirmed atopic dermatitis diagnosis with minimum duration (typically β₯1 year)
- Moderate-to-severe disease: EASI β₯ 16 and IGA β₯ 3 typical thresholds
- Inadequate response or intolerance to topical treatments (documented)
- Systemic therapy failure may be required for advanced biologic trials
- Exclusion of other eczema types (contact, seborrhoeic) through patch testing
Psoriasis Trial Criteria
- Confirmed plaque psoriasis diagnosis (other subtypes often excluded)
- PASI β₯ 10β12 and BSA β₯ 10% for moderate-to-severe trials
- Failed or intolerant to standard systemic therapy (documented)
- Psoriatic arthritis trials require both skin and joint criteria
- Prior biologic use varies β some trials require biologic-naΓ―ve, others allow experienced
Eczema / Atopic Dermatitis Trials
Find actively recruiting eczema trials across the UK
Eczema / Atopic Dermatitis TrialsFrequently Asked Questions
Can I join a clinical trial if I have both Eczema / Atopic Dermatitis and Psoriasis?
It depends on the specific trial. Many trials allow comorbid conditions as long as the primary condition being studied is clearly dominant. Some trials explicitly exclude patients with significant overlapping conditions. Always check the eligibility criteria carefully and discuss with both the trial team and your specialist.
Which condition has more clinical trials available in the UK?
Psoriasis typically has more actively recruiting trials in the UK. However, both conditions have robust research pipelines with new studies opening regularly.
What should I consider when choosing between trials for these conditions?
Consider which condition impacts your quality of life most, what treatments you've already tried, the trial phase (earlier phases are more experimental), the time commitment involved, and whether the trial offers access to treatments not otherwise available. Your specialist can help you prioritise.