A Real-World, Non-interventional Indian Study Evaluating Intensive Plant-Based Butter Moisturizing Cream in Psoriasis

Hemangi Rajiv Jerajani; Jayakar Thomas; Alka Gupta; Gurram Narasimha Rao Netha; Ranju Chawla; Rashid Shaikh; Ravindra Babu; Irene Williams; Prajakta Talathi; Suyog C Mehta; Rajan Mittal; Shivani Acharya; Sujeet N Charugulla

doi:10.1007/s13555-019-0307-0

A Real-World, Non-interventional Indian Study Evaluating Intensive Plant-Based Butter Moisturizing Cream in Psoriasis

Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2019 Sep;9(3):537-546. doi: 10.1007/s13555-019-0307-0. Epub 2019 Jun 14.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ MGM Medical College and Hospital, Mumbai, India.
² JT Skin Care Centre, Chennai, India.
³ Gupta Skin Clinic, New Delhi, India.
⁴ Gandhi Medical College and Government Hospital, Hyderabad, India.
⁵ Dr. Ranju Chawla's Skin Clinic, New Delhi, India.
⁶ Rehmat Clinic and Nursing Home, Thane, India.
⁷ Raga's Skin Care Clinic, Bengaluru, India.
⁸ Dermicos Skin Clinic, Chennai, India.
⁹ Skin Space Clinic, Mumbai, India.
¹⁰ Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Limited, Hyderabad, India.
¹¹ Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Limited, Hyderabad, India. sujeetnc@drreddys.com.

Abstract

Introduction: Psoriasis is estimated to affect 0.44-2.8% of the Indian population. Moisturizers are a key adjuvant psoriasis treatment strategy, but data regarding their effectiveness, safety and compliance pattern in an Indian context are lacking. Hence, this real-world study on an intensive plant-based butter moisturizing cream (Venusia ^® Max) was conducted among Indian patients with psoriasis.

Methods: This was an observational, patient-reported outcomes (PRO) study in patients with psoriasis aged 18-75 years who were prescribed the cream in routine clinical practice, as per clinician's discretion, over 4 weeks. The primary outcome measure was improvement from baseline in quality of life assessed using the Dermatology Quality of Life Index (DLQI) at 4 weeks of the study period. The secondary outcome measures were improvement in dryness using the Dry Skin/Ichthyosis Area and Severity Index (DASI) score at 4 weeks, safety and compliance. The DLQI and DASI scores were recorded by the clinicians at baseline and after 2 (optional) and 4 weeks of starting the cream. Safety was assessed throughout the study.

Results: The study included 400 patients from 9 outpatient dermatology centers across India. Of 400 patients, 384 completed the study. A significant reduction in both the mean DLQI score (66.7%; p < 0.001) and mean DASI score (84.6%; p < 0.001) was observed at week 4 after starting the cream vs. baseline in the overall population. Overall, the cream showed a good safety and compliance profile during the study period. There were no serious adverse events or deaths.

Conclusions: The evidence from the PRO study suggests that use of the intensive plant-based butter moisturizing cream in a real-world scenario has a noticeable impact on improving the quality of life and reducing the skin dryness associated with psoriasis over 4 weeks. The moisturizing cream may serve as a valuable adjuvant treatment option for the management of psoriasis.

Trial registration number: CTRI/2017/03/008023.

Funding: Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd.

Keywords: Compliance; Moisturizer; Psoriasis; Quality of life; Real world; Safety.