[Efficacy and patient benefit of treatment of irritated skin with ointments containing dexpanthenol: health services research (observational study) on self-medication in a pharmaceutical network].
BACKGROUND
Products containing dexpanthenol are used to treat irritated and inflamed skin. So far there is a lack of data for the evidence of patient-relevant benefits.


OBJECTIVE
Assessment of the patient-relevant benefit of ointments containing dexpanthenol in the self-medicated therapy of irritated skin.


METHODS
Prospective, observational study in a network of 392 pharmacies. Consecutive recruitment of n=1,886 patients with symptoms of irritated skin, including non-inflammatory intervals of atopic eczema, other xerotic skin conditions and impairment of skin barrier. The patient-relevant benefit was ascertained prior to and 7-10 days after treatment through the patient-benefit index (PBI).


RESULTS
The PBI showed that 91.5% of the patients experienced a relevant benefit from treatment. 94.7% directly indicated to have had achieved successful therapeutic results. All symptoms of irritated skin (e.g. xerosis, erythema, desquamation) significantly improved (p<or=0,001). The subjective response was independent of age, gender and underlying skin disease.


CONCLUSIONS
High patient-relevant benefits were observed in the treatment of irritated skin with dexpanthenol ointment.
Radtke
M A
MA
Competenzzentrum Versorgungsforschung in der Dermatologie (CVderm), Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie und Venerologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Deutschland.
Lee-Seifert
C
C
Rustenbach
S J
SJ
Schäfer
I
I
Augustin
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009824:Ointments / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010205:Pantothenic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010594:Pharmacies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D012651:Self Medication / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D009824:Ointments; D010205:Pantothenic Acid; C007288:dexpanthenol