INTRODUCTION
Acne vulgaris is one of the most common diseases and impairs overall quality of life.1 Despite effective treatment options, adherence to treatment, defined as patient conformity with medication directions on a day-to-day basis, is generally poor.2 Primary adherence refers to obtaining and starting treatment; secondary adherence is the utilization of medication once started. Treatment persistence is how long patients continue on treatment.3,4 Adherence to topical acne medication is particularly poor.5
Acne has several features that contribute to poor treatment adherence. Chronicity impairs adherence,2 and adherence to topical medications is particularly poor.6-8 The complexity of acne treatment regimens, often involving multiple separate products, reduces both primary and secondary adherence.9,10 Local irritation may also impair adherence.2,11
Primary adherence to acne treatment ranges from 70-90%; secondary adherence and persistence to acne treatment are less well characterized.4 We performed a retrospective observational cohort study using United States administrative health claims to assess real-life adherence and persistence to acne medication in patients newly diagnosed with acne.
Acne has several features that contribute to poor treatment adherence. Chronicity impairs adherence,2 and adherence to topical medications is particularly poor.6-8 The complexity of acne treatment regimens, often involving multiple separate products, reduces both primary and secondary adherence.9,10 Local irritation may also impair adherence.2,11
Primary adherence to acne treatment ranges from 70-90%; secondary adherence and persistence to acne treatment are less well characterized.4 We performed a retrospective observational cohort study using United States administrative health claims to assess real-life adherence and persistence to acne medication in patients newly diagnosed with acne.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Data Source
This retrospective observational cohort study used the Truven Health MarketScan® Commercial Claims and Encounters and Medicare Supplemental Databases for identification of health claims between 2008 to 2011 (index period), with a 1-year post-index period for analysis. The de-identified data from this database, on inpatient and outpatient claims, outpatient prescription claims, utilizations records, and healthcare expenditures are considered nationally representative.12 The data source includes all pharmacy fills with a health plan payment or patient copayment.13 Prescriptions that are written but not filled are not included in the claims database.13
Study Design and Patient Selection
Health claims of patients ages ≥ 12 with a new diagnosis of acne vulgaris between 2008-2011 using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) code 706.1, a minimum of 12 months prior enrollment in the
This retrospective observational cohort study used the Truven Health MarketScan® Commercial Claims and Encounters and Medicare Supplemental Databases for identification of health claims between 2008 to 2011 (index period), with a 1-year post-index period for analysis. The de-identified data from this database, on inpatient and outpatient claims, outpatient prescription claims, utilizations records, and healthcare expenditures are considered nationally representative.12 The data source includes all pharmacy fills with a health plan payment or patient copayment.13 Prescriptions that are written but not filled are not included in the claims database.13
Study Design and Patient Selection
Health claims of patients ages ≥ 12 with a new diagnosis of acne vulgaris between 2008-2011 using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) code 706.1, a minimum of 12 months prior enrollment in the
