Acne Management in Japan: Study of Patient Adherence

Abstract

Obtaining good adherence to acne therapy is a challenge for all dermatologists. We studied 428 acne patients in Japan to determine the likelihood of good adherence and factors associated with medication-taking. This study utilized a simple validated questionnaire to assess risk of poor adherence; information about patient and treatment characteristics was also collected. There was an overall rate of poor adherence in 76% of subjects. Adherence to topical medication was poor in 52% of those treated with a topical agent only (n = 123). Among those taking combination therapies (n = 275), adherence to the topical portion of therapy was poor in 49% of subjects. The likelihood of poor adherence to oral medication was higher, both when administered alone (n = 30, 93% poor adherence) and when given as part of a combination regimen (n = 275, 86%). Factors with an impact on adherence included satisfaction with treatment (p = 0.023) and the experience of side effects (p = 0.027). Patients who felt they had a good understanding of acne and its treatment were more likely to have good adherence. These data suggest that there is significant room for improvement in acne adherence in Japan, as in other areas of the world, and that improved education may enhance adherence.

Maintenance Therapy for Acne Vulgaris: Efficacy of a 12-Month Treatment with Adapalene-Benzoyl Peroxide after Oral Isotretinoin and a Review of the Literature

“…The small number of patients lost to follow-up suggests a high adherence to this long-term maintenance protocol among our study patients. Nevertheless, adherence to daily treatment was not objectively assessed [40]. …”

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“…In turn, improved understanding may lead to greater treatment adherence and clinical outcomes. 19,20 …”

Acne Smart Club: An Educational Program for Patients with Acne

“…Clinical experience and recent published data suggest that adherence is the main critical aspect for the therapy's success [16]; non-adherence to treatment, in fact, is a well-known challenge associated with poor health outcomes and increased utilization of healthcare resources. Miyachi et al [4] reported that in Japanese acne patients there was an overall rate of poor adherence in 76% of subjects; adherence to topical medication was poor in 52% of patients treated with only one topical product, and among those taking combination therapies, adherence to the topical portion of therapy was poor in 49% of subjects.…”

“…As acne is a chronic condition and its treatment lasts several years, the patient's adherence to the therapeutic program represents a key point [3]. Several studies, in fact, suggest that adherence to acne medications is often poor; factors with an impact on adherence included satisfaction with treatment and the experience of side effects [4]. There is no unique validated score to measure adherence worldwide and some strategies can be very helpful to implement it.…”