Which acne treatment has the best influence on health‐related quality of life? Literature review by the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Task Force on Quality of Life and Patient Oriented Outcomes

Abstract

According to results of a recent literature search performed by the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Task Forces (TF) on Quality of Life and Patient Oriented Outcomes (QoL and PO) and Acne, Rosacea and Hidradenitis Suppurativa (ARHS), most of the publications where health-related (HR) QoL of acne patients was studied were clinical trials. Members of the EADV TF on QoL and PO decided to detect which acne treatment has the best influence on HRQoL of acne patients. A new literature search was organized to find publications on acne treatment where the HRQoL of patients was assessed as an outcome measure. From 186 papers with HRQoL assessment, 37 papers were included for further analysis. Our results revealed that oral isotretinoin had the best influence on HRQoL of acne patients. Several other treatment methods also showed good effects on the HRQoL of acne patients. Oral isotretinoin and norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol, topical clindamycin phosphate/benzoyl peroxide and adapalene/benzoyl peroxide showed significantly better effect on HRQoL than placebo. There is limited number of the high-quality studies on acne treatment where HRQoL was assessed. Dermatology-specific and acne-specific instruments showed much better sensitivity to successful therapeutic intervention than generic HRQoL instruments. The most frequently used HRQoL instrument was the Dermatology Life Quality Index questionnaire.

Quality of life measurement in hidradenitis suppurativa: position statement of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology task forces on Quality of Life and Patient‐Oriented Outcomes and Acne, Rosacea and Hidradenitis Suppurativa

“…For publications on HS treatment with no data on mean HRQoL scores, where possible the mean scores of the instruments used were calculated using the data of individual patients. The percentage mean change of HRQoL scores from baseline was calculated for each HS treatment method from data given in the included articles, as in a previous EADV Task Force study . The two‐tailed paired t‐test was used to compare mean scores before and after treatment, with results considered significant if P < 0.05.…”

“…The percentage mean change of HRQoL scores from baseline was calculated for each HS treatment method from data given in the included articles, as in a previous EADV Task Force study. 17 The two-tailed paired t-test was used to compare mean scores before and after treatment, with results considered significant if P < 0.05. The EADV TF on QoL and Patient-Oriented Outcomes recommends using the word 'quimp' 18 (quality of life impairment) in routine clinical work and research, 19 and the word has been used in this article.…”

The Evolution of Quality of Life Assessment and Use in Dermatology

“…There are many disease-specific QoL instruments for patients with psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and acne. The differing scoring systems used for QoL instruments make it difficult to compare and interpret the results of clinical trials [12]. The existence of so many competitive instruments not only makes the choice difficult, but also decreases the interpretability and utility of the data obtained.…”

Quality of life measurement in skin cancer patients: literature review and position paper of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Task Forces on Quality of Life and Patient Oriented Outcomes, Melanoma and Non‐Melanoma Skin Cancer

“…More detailed recommendations on validation, selection and use of HRQoL instruments are presented in previous publications of the EADV TF on QoL and Patient Oriented Outcomes. 179,[185][186][187][188][189][190] • Our TFs encourages researchers to initiate validation studies, with high methodological standards, concerning the use of HRQoL instruments at different stages of SC. Such studies may contribute to the development of detailed practical recommendations on HRQoL assessment in SC.…”