Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the current status of the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris after the introduction of topical calcipotriol hydrate/betamethasone dipropionate (Cal/BDP).
METHODS:
A questionnaire survey was conducted among patients with psoriasis vulgaris willing to participate, with the cooperation of dermatologists throughout the country. The questionnaire aimed to investigate treatment status over a period of 3 months. A follow-up questionnaire survey was administered to doctors and patients 1 year after registration.
RESULTS:
A total of 658 patients with psoriasis vulgaris agreed to participate in this survey. Application of topical Cal/BDP once daily significantly reduced m-PASI score 1 month after registration, and significant reduction was maintained at 1 year after registration. PDI, a quality of life instrument, was also significantly reduced 1 month after registration, and significant reduction was maintained at 1 year after registration. In addition, 87.9% of patients desired to continue treatment with topical Cal/BDP. Topical Cal/BDP was continuously applied to 91.4% of the lesions on arms, trunk, or legs from the start of the survey. For 85% of the lesions, other topical agents had been used before the introduction of topical Cal/BDP. Adverse drug reactions were observed in 15 patients (2.7%) until 3 months after registration; there were no adverse drug reactions 1 year after registration.
CONCLUSION:
Application of topical Cal/BDP once daily rapidly improved skin symptoms and QOL, and the improvement was maintained 1 year after registration. In this survey, specific safety issues of topical Cal/BDP were not observed. Approximately 90% of patients who used topical Cal/BDP for 1 year desired to continue treatment. However, a reduction in adherence was observed with time, which confirmed the importance of guidance during treatment.
