Adherence to topical therapy increases around the time of office visits.
BACKGROUND
The efficacy of topical medications is limited by non-adherence. Interventions to improve adherence to topical treatments are not well characterized.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the impact of office visits on patients' adherence to topical treatment.


METHODS
Twenty-nine subjects enrolled in a clinical trial for psoriasis and were followed for up to 8 weeks. Subjects were told to apply 6% salicylic acid gel twice daily. Electronic monitors were used to assess adherence. Results were compared to adherence in clinical trials of hand dermatitis and atopic dermatitis.


RESULTS
Adherence rates were significantly higher around the time of office visits (P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
This is a small study in a limited patient population. The study was observational and not a randomized trial of the effect of increased office visits.


CONCLUSIONS
Frequent follow-up visits in clinical trials increase patients' adherence to medications. The use of a follow-up visit shortly after initiating treatment may be an effective way to boost patients' use of their medication and achieve better treatment outcomes.
Feldman
Steven R
SR
Center for Dermatology Research, Department of Dermatology, The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy, Columbus, USA. sfeldman@wfubmc.edu
Camacho
Fabian T
FT
Krejci-Manwaring
Jennifer
J
Carroll
Christie L
CL
Balkrishnan
Rajesh
R
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D005782:Gels / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D009819:Office Visits; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D020156:Salicylic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D005782:Gels; D020156:Salicylic Acid