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A study found that the use of oral isotretinoin and treatment satisfaction are independent predictors of adherence to acne medication regimens, according to study. findings published in the Journal of Dermatology Treatment.
In the cross-sectional study, the researchers evaluated factors that affected treatment adherence in 500 patients with acne (median disease duration 3 [interquartile range, 2 to 5] years) who visited a dermatology clinic. Patient-specific variables were recorded, including age, sex, education level, acne duration and severity, forms and duration of treatment, and treatment satisfaction, as well as adherence. The 6-point Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) scale was used to assess acne severity and the 5-point Likert scale assessed satisfaction and adherence. Participants were also asked to report treatment interruptions and related adverse effects.
Acne was labeled as almost clear in 10.8%, mild in 30.4%, moderate in 32.4%, severe in 19.4%, and very severe in 6.6% of patients. The severity of acne and duration of treatment were greater and longer, respectively, in patients taking isotretinoin vs other treatments (both P <.001). Compared with patients who were taking topical therapies and oral antibiotics, patients taking oral isotretinoin had greater treatment satisfaction and adherence (both P <.001). The multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated that independent factors associated with treatment adherence in the patients with acne included use of oral isotretinoin (odds ratio [OR] 4.1; 95% CI, 2.44-6.92; P <.001) and treatment satisfaction (OR 2.1; 95% CI, 1.31-3.43; P =.002). Female patients also had higher treatment satisfaction compared with male patients (OR 2.2; 95% CI, 1.3-3.8; P =.004).
Study limitations included the lack of data on treatment outcomes and the reliance on subjective measures of treatment adherence.
“Choosing the right treatment regimen according to the severity of acne, prescribing treatments with less side effects or taking additional precautions to minimize side effects and selecting a treatment that the patients would be satisfied with may improve adherence,” the researchers concluded.
Reference
Hayran Y, İncel Uysal P, Öktem A, Aksoy GG, Akdoğan N, Yalçın B. Factors affecting adherence and patient satisfaction with treatment: a cross sectional study of 500 patients with acne vulgaris. J Dermatolog Treat [published online May 10, 2019]. doi:10.1080/09546634.2019.1618434
