Belgian observational drug utilization study of pimecrolimus cream 1% in routine daily practice in atopic dermatitis.
BACKGROUND
For reimbursement purposes of pimecrolimus cream 1%, the Belgian authorities asked to document its consumption, its topical corticosteroid-sparing effect and quality of life within the routine clinical practice.


OBJECTIVE
We aimed to address the 3 queries of the Belgian authorities.


METHODS
An open-label, observational, multicentre, 1-year study under drug prescription was performed.


RESULTS
A total of 416 consecutive patients were enrolled in 49 centres. The mean annual amount of prescribed pimecrolimus cream 1% per patient was 120.8 g (SD = 117.0), with an estimated consumption of 104.4 g (SD = 117.6). The median annual amount prescribed was 90.0 g [interquartile range (IQR) = 45-150] and the estimated consumption 63.6 g (IQR = 32.4-132). Topical corticosteroids had been used before the study in 81.7% of the population. With pimecrolimus cream 1% during the study, 83.3% of the previous corticosteroid users stated less topical corticosteroid use than before and 36% of them did not apply topical corticosteroids at all during the study. The mean improvements compared to baseline in Parents' Index Quality of Life-Atopic Dermatitis and Quality of Life Index-Atopic Dermatitis scores were 34.5% (SD = 84.3) and 31.2% (SD = 70.8), respectively. The median improvements were 50.0% (IQR = 12.5-85.7%) and 46.4% (IQR = 0.0-85.0%), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
In routine practice the consumption of pimecrolimus cream 1% is relatively low, with corticosteroid-sparing effect, improvement in quality of life and good tolerability.
De Backer
Marc
M
Novartis Pharma, Vilvoorde, Belgium. m-debacker@hotmail.com
Morren
Marie-Anne
MA
Boonen
Hugo
H
Boyden
Bert
B
Vertruyen
Andre
A
Lecomte
Pascal
P
Paquay
Catherine
C
Lesaffre
Emmanuel
E
Lambert
Julien
J
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001530:Belgium; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003880:Dermatology / Q000379:methods; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004363:Drug Utilization; D004643:Emollients; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011336:Probability; D011788:Quality of Life; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D004643:Emollients; C117268:pimecrolimus; D016559:Tacrolimus