Multicenter survey of the efficacy and compliance with using topical pimecrolimus by patients with atopic dermatitis

Abstract

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin disease that's influenced by many genetic and environmental factors. Various treatment modalities are being applied for AD, including phototherapy, topical applicants and systemic agents. However, there has been no mass survey in Korea concerning the compliance of patients' to use their prescribed medication, which might influence the clinical efficacy of the physicians' treatment. Objective: The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the efficacy, safety and patient compliance with using topical pimecrolimus to treat AD. Methods: We reviewed the medical recordings, laboratory profiles, clinical severity scoring and photographs of AD patients at 9 general hospitals in Seoul and the local area of Korea. Interviews with the patients and a telephone survey were also done. Those patients who weren't perscribed topical applicants or those who did not use topical pimecrolimus or steroid within 6 months were excluded from this study. Results: Topical pimecrolimus cream effectively controlled AD with a reduction of the EASI score from baseline 13.75 to 11.39 at 2 weeks and 4.46 at 10 weeks of topical pimecrolimus application. When topical pimecrolimus cream was applied for more than 12 months it significandy suppressed the recurrence and reactivation of AD (p<0.05). Although 22.6% of the patients complained of adverse effects, these were all transient and they did not evoke significant medical problems. Using topical pimecrolimus cream did not show significant adverse effects or complications. Conclusion: Topical pimecrolimus might well be an effective treatment modality for treating AD when patients show good compliance for applying the cream. (Korean J Dermatol 2008;46(10):1357-1361).