How to improve adherence to treatment in patients with mild-to-moderate psoriasis

G Ital Dermatol Venereol. 2018 Oct;153(5):692-697. doi: 10.23736/S0392-0488.17.05697-8. Epub 2017 Jul 11.

Abstract

Topical treatments are frequently used for the therapy of psoriasis. However, they may be associated with poor adherence in clinical practice. Therapeutic adherence is affected by patient's characteristics, as well as disease- and treatment-related factors; moreover, satisfaction with therapy, cosmetic acceptability, and complexity of the treatment regimen do also play a role. Since low adherence could lead to treatment failure, it is crucial to elaborate effective strategies aimed at improving patient adherence and thus clinical outcomes in psoriasis. To this purpose, here we have addressed several aspects of dermatological treatment that impact on adherence such as selection of therapy, selection of vehicle, and physician-patient communication. In addition, possible practical measures to improve adherence have also been discussed. In this light, we report that the use of calcipotriol and betamethasone dipropionate (Cal/BD) fixed-combination gel may be associated with improved patients' preference and better outcomes compared to similar formulations.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Cutaneous
  • Betamethasone / administration & dosage
  • Calcitriol / administration & dosage
  • Calcitriol / analogs & derivatives
  • Dermatologic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Drug Combinations
  • Humans
  • Medication Adherence*
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Physician-Patient Relations
  • Psoriasis / drug therapy*
  • Psoriasis / pathology
  • Severity of Illness Index

Substances

  • Dermatologic Agents
  • Drug Combinations
  • calcipotriene
  • Betamethasone
  • Calcitriol