INTRODUCTION
Acne vulgaris (acne) remains commonplace in dermatology
practice. Lifetime prevalence estimates range from 73.3% to almost 100%.1,2 Although acne occurs most frequently in adolescence, it can persist into the 20s in around 64% of individuals and in 43% of people in their 30s.3 In addition, late-onset disease is not uncommon, with 18% of adult women found to have acne for the first time in one study.4
Moderate-to-severe acne affects around 20% of young people.5 Severity correlates with pubertal maturity, with the prevalence of severe acne steadily increasing from ages 11 to 17 years.6 Acne occurs earlier and is more severe in those with a positive
family history (P<.0005).5 Increased acne severity was significantly associated with increased stress levels (P<.01).7 Seborrhea, the premenstrual phase, and dietary influences have been reported as risk factors for moderate-to-severe
disease.5
Although acne can have a great impact on patients’ lives, often
independent of severity,8,9 severe acne is associated with increased depression, anxiety, poor self-image, and poor self-esteem.10,11 Suicidal ideation is more common in those with
severe acne compared with mild acne.12 Those with moderate-to-severe acne are also at increased risk of unemployment.13
Effective acne treatment is important for reducing both severity
and potential recurrence. Topical therapies remain the most common and effective treatment option for mild-to-moderate acne, and also as maintenance therapy for all levels of acne severity.14 In addition, fixed combinations (eg, benzoyl peroxide
(BP) and antibiotic, retinoid and antibiotic or BP) have been studied as monotherapy in moderately severe disease, and are considered the standard of care for patients with both comedonal
and inflammatory acne, simplifying treatment regimens and reducing dosing frequency.15
Recently, efficacy and tolerability data was reported on a new fixed combination product, clindamycin phosphate 1.2% (clindamycin)-BP 3.75% aqueous gel.16 Here we present separate
efficacy and safety analyses in the subpopulation of patients with either moderate or severe acne at baseline.
METHODS
Detailed methodology has already been reported elsewhere;16 however, a summary is provided below.