Current prescribing for pyoderma gangrenosum in the UK and access to biologic medications: Results from a UK Dermatology Clinical Trials Network (UKDCTN) survey of UK Dermatologists

Myfanwy Jenkins; Nicola Watson; Margaret McPhee; Nick J Levell; Mike Arden-Jones; Anthony D Ormerod; Philip J Hampton

doi:10.1093/ced/llae153

Current prescribing for pyoderma gangrenosum in the UK and access to biologic medications: Results from a UK Dermatology Clinical Trials Network (UKDCTN) survey of UK Dermatologists

Clin Exp Dermatol. 2024 Apr 25:llae153. doi: 10.1093/ced/llae153. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Myfanwy Jenkins¹, Nicola Watson¹, Margaret McPhee², Nick J Levell³, Mike Arden-Jones⁴, Anthony D Ormerod⁵, Philip J Hampton⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Dermatology, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
² Department of Dermatology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
³ Department of Dermatology, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Trust, Norwich, UK.
⁴ Department of Dermatology, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, Southampton, UK.
⁵ University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK.
⁶ Department of Dermatology, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

PMID: 38661219
DOI: 10.1093/ced/llae153

Abstract

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is an ulcerative inflammatory disorder affecting the lower legs in 80% of cases. The use of biologic medications to treat PG is increasing although there is a limited evidence base to guide treatment choices. In some health systems, such as the UK NHS, limitations are placed on biologic prescribing for PG leading to wide variations in prescribing. A survey of mainly UK clinicians showed that prednisolone remains the first line treatment for PG (90%). Biologics have been used by 66% of clinicians as second line therapy but 19% have had prescribing requests declined. Further research is needed to determine optimal treatment strategies for PG.

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