Sarna: una epidemia dentro de una pandemia

Study of the Use of Permethrin 5% Cream in Galicia (Spain) between 2018 and 2021

Drug utilization studies can provide direct insights into how a drug is used in real-world conditions and can give a rough estimate of the proportion of the study population treated with it. In the present work, we examined the consumption of permethrin 5% cream in the four provinces of Galicia (a Spanish autonomous community) and described the seasonal variability and the annual evolution of its consumption between 2018 and 2021. A descriptive, cross-sectional, and retrospective study of the consumption of this drug, expressed in defined daily dose per 1000 inhabitants per day (DID), was carried out. The results obtained revealed differences between the amounts consumed in the four Galician provinces (p < 0.001). No specific geographical pattern was observed; however, the results suggested a marked seasonality and a slightly increasing global trend in the consumption of permethrin 5% cream throughout the study period. Since the only authorized indication of this drug in the study area is the treatment of scabies, this work may give an idea of the epidemiological situation of the disease in Galicia and serve to establish public health strategies against this parasitosis.

[Translated article] Epidemic Scabies: New Treatment Challenges in an Ancient Disease

Scabies which is among the most prevalent diseases worldwide, is becoming more frequent in Spain. The problems of this epidemic can be explained by several factors: improper application or prescription of treatments, resistance or reduced sensitivity to topical treatments, and poor understanding of the parasite and contagion. We require a new evidence-based approach to therapy that takes these problems into consideration. If symptoms persist after proper treatment, it is important to identify the reason for failure and standardize our approach. In refractory cases, the prescriber should prioritize oral medication, indicate a higher dose, combine treatments, or evaluate the use of off-label treatments in certain populations. The availability of new medications, such as spinosad or, especially, moxidectin, offer hope for bringing this disease under control.

Epidemic Scabies: New Treatment Challenges in an Ancient Disease

Scabies, which is among the most prevalent diseases worldwide, is becoming more frequent in Spain. The problems of this epidemic can be explained by several factors: improper application or prescription of treatments, resistance or reduced sensitivity to topical treatments, and poor understanding of the parasite and contagion. We require a new evidence-based approach to therapy that takes these problems into consideration. If symptoms persist after proper treatment, it is important to identify the reason for failure and standardize our approach. In refractory cases, the prescriber should prioritize oral medication, indicate a higher dose, combine treatments, or evaluate the use of off-label treatments in certain populations. The availability of new medications -such as spinosad or, especially, moxidectin- offer hope for bringing this disease under control.