Efficacy of adapalene/benzoyl peroxide combination in moderate inflammatory acne and its impact on patient adherence

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Adapalene 0.1 %/benzoyl peroxide (BPO) 2.5 % (Epiduo®) is the first, fixed-dose topical combination gel developed for the once-daily treatment of acne. The objective of this observational study was to assess efficacy and patient adherence under daily clinical practice conditions in a large population of young adults and adolescents (12 to 20 years) with moderate inflammatory acne.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 2 780 patients receiving adapalene-BPO were evaluated in this multicenter, open-label, prospective non-interventional observational study. Observation time per patient was approximately 12 weeks. Assessment parameters included changes in acne severity, treatment success, safety, and therapeutic adherence.

RESULTS

After 12 weeks, the majority of patients (91.5 %) showed improvement of acne under adapalene-BPO treatment, with an initial therapeutic response noted after a median time of 14 days. Overall, 21.8 % of participants displayed complete resolution of visible acne lesions. Treatment adherence was assessed as good in 63.2 % of patients. The majority of individuals (69.5 %) experienced no or only mild local skin irritations. No serious adverse drug reactions (ADR) were reported during the course of the study.

CONCLUSIONS

Adapalene-BPO is effective and safe in the treatment of moderate inflammatory acne. The fixed-dose combination and easy application simplifies the therapeutic regimen, leading to good treatment adherence in the majority of patients.

Real-world therapy management of patients with multiple sclerosis receiving cladribine tablets beyond year 4 - Results from a German cladribine cohort

BACKGROUND

The current approval of oral cladribine covers four years, with two treatment courses in the first two years, followed by two treatment-free years. For decision-making in year 5, experts recommend three scenarios: Extending the treatment-free period, retreatment with cladribine, or therapy switch.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the implementation of the three year-5-scenarios in clinical practice in a large multicentric real-world cohort in Germany.

METHODS

Data from adult patients diagnosed with highly active RMS (first dose between 8/2017 and 8/2018) were included. The primary outcome was the percentages of patients who remained treatment-free in year 5, were retreated with cladribine, or switched to another therapy.

RESULTS

In total, 187 patients (75 % female, mean age 38.6 years, median EDSS 2.5, 21 % DMT-naive) were evaluated. Overall, 27 (14 %) switched treatment within year 1-4, 36 (19 %) continued therapy with cladribine tablets in year 5, and 8 (4 %) switched therapy in year 5. All other patients (n = 118, 63 %) continued to be monitored without therapy in year 5.

CONCLUSION

The recommended three treatment scenarios in year 5 appear to be feasible in clinical practice. Treatment-free structured monitoring is the most frequently applied strategy, highly likely due to the prospect of continuing low disease activity under cladribine treatment.