Use of Supplementary Patient Education Material Increases Treatment Adherence and Satisfaction Among Acne Patients Receiving Adapalene 0.1%/Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5% Gel in Primary Care Clinics: A Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Study

Abstract

Introduction: Poor adherence to acne treatment may lead to unnecessary treatments, increased healthcare costs, and reduced quality of life (QoL). This multicenter study evaluated the effect of supplementary patient education material (SEM) (a short video, information card, and additional information available online) on treatment adherence and satisfaction among acne patients treated with the fixed-dose combination adapalene 0.1%/benzoyl peroxide 2.5% gel (A/BPO) in primary care clinics versus (1) standard-of-care patient education (SOCPE) (package insert and oral instruction) and (2) SOCPE plus more frequent clinic visits.

Methods: Subjects with acne were randomized to receive once-daily A/BPO for 12 weeks plus (1) SEM in addition to SOCPE; (2) SOCPE only with two additional visits; or (3) SOCPE only. Other assessments included a subject appreciation questionnaire, a physician questionnaire, and safety.

Results: Ninety-seven subjects were enrolled. At baseline, most (87.6%) had mild to moderate acne. Better adherence was observed in the A/BPO + SEM group compared with A/BPO + more visits or A/BPO alone [mean 63.1%, 48.2% (p = 0.0206), and 56.5%, respectively]. The A/BPO + SEM group had more subjects with greater than 75% adherence (45%, 30.4%, and 25%, respectively). According to the subject appreciation questionnaire, the SEM was more helpful to adhere to treatment (56.7%) versus more visits (32.3%) and A/BPO alone (15.2%), better use the product (70%, 61.3%, and 54.5%, respectively), and better manage skin irritation (53.3%, 48.4%, and 36.4%, respectively). All physicians were satisfied with the SEM and 90% would consider using it in their practice. Safety assessment showed fewer treatment-related adverse events in the A/BPO + SEM group.

Conclusion: Use of the SEM may increase adherence of acne patients treated with once-daily A/BPO gel in primary care, consequently improving treatment and QoL in the long term.

Funding: Nestle Skin Health-Galderma R&D.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02307266.

Keywords: Acne; Adapalene 0.1%/benzoyl peroxide 2.5% gel; Patient adherence; Primary care; Supplementary patient education.

Figures

Fig. 1

Subject disposition

Fig. 2

Subject adherence to treatment according to the medication event monitoring system (ITT/worst-case population)

Fig. 3

Subject adherence to treatment according to the medication event monitoring system per week (ITT/observed population)

Fig. 4

Subject appreciation questionnaire: the information you have received in the study about the treatment helps you to a better manage skin irritation? b adhere (or be compliant) to the treatment? c understand when you should expect to see an improvement of your acne? and d understand the correct way to use the study treatment?

Fig. 5

Excerpt from the supplementary educational material video