Impact of Female Acne on Patterns of Health Care Resource Utilization
February 2015 | Volume 14 | Issue 2 | Original Article | 140 | Copyright © February 2015
Hilary E. Baldwin MD FAAD,a Ariane K. Kawata PhD,b Selena R. Daniels PharmD MS,c
Teresa K. Wilcox PhD,b Caroline T. Burk PharmD MS,d Emil A. Tanghetti MDe
aState University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY
bEvidera, Bethesda, MD
cAllergan Inc., Irvine, CA
dHealth Outcomes Consultant, Laguna Beach, CA
eThe Center for Dermatology and Laser Surgery, Sacramento, CA
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Limited data are available on acne treatment patterns in females through their adult years.OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this analysis was to evaluate health care resource utilization (HRU) and treatment patterns in cohorts with and without the use of acne medication and predictors of use.
METHODS: A cross-sectional, web-based survey was administered to US females (25–45 years) with facial acne (≥25 visible lesions). Data collected included: sociodemographics and self-reported clinical characteristics, acne treatments, and health care professional (HCP) visits. Subject characteristics associated with medication use were examined by logistic regression.
RESULTS: Approximately half of the total sample (N=208, mean age: 35±6) ever visited an HCP for acne and reported more over-the counter (OTC) medication use (51.0%) than prescription (Rx) medication use (15.4%). Subjects did not use medications daily, averaging from 12–18 days over the previous 4 weeks. Logistic regression showed that race and prior HCP visits for acne were significant predictors of medication use (P<.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Adult females generally self-treated their acne using primarily OTC medications; however, poor compliance was observed for Rx and OTC. Race and prior HCP visits for acne were significant predictors of current medication use.
J Drugs Dermatol. 2015;14(2):140-148.
