Differences in acne treatment prescribing patterns of pediatricians and dermatologists: an analysis of nationally representative data.
BACKGROUND
Acne vulgaris is a very common disease process that is seen frequently by both pediatricians and dermatologists. However, treatment may be different depending on specialty.


OBJECTIVE
To compare pediatricians' and dermatologists' patterns of treatment for acne vulgaris.


METHODS
National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey data on office visits to pediatricians and dermatologists for acne vulgaris were analyzed from 1996 to 2005.


RESULTS
During this 10-year time period, dermatologists managed an estimated 18.1 million acne visits and pediatricians managed an estimated 4.6 million acne visits. Dermatologists prescribed topical retinoids considerably more frequently than did pediatricians (46.1% of acne visits for dermatologists vs 12.1% for pediatricians).


CONCLUSIONS
There is an opportunity for pediatricians to play a greater role in the management of patients with acne. A shift toward greater use of topical retinoids by pediatricians would be more in line with the practice of dermatologists and with current acne treatment consensus guidelines.
Yentzer
Brad A
BA
Center for Dermatology Research, Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157-1071, USA. byentzer@wfubmc.edu
Irby
Cynthia E
CE
Fleischer
Alan B
AB
Feldman
Steven R
SR
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001585:Benzoyl Peroxide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002981:Clindamycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003880:Dermatology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007641:Keratolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009819:Office Visits / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000145:classification* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012176:Retinoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014481:United States
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D007641:Keratolytic Agents; D055553:Prescription Drugs; D012176:Retinoids; D002981:Clindamycin; D014212:Tretinoin; D001585:Benzoyl Peroxide