title: Use of drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol (DRSP/EE) among women with acne reduces acne treatment-related resources.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Acne is a common dermatologic condition that extends into middle age, particularly among women, and is associated with substantial healthcare resource utilization. Drospirenone (DRSP), a synthetic progestin, has anti-androgenic activity, and women using DRSP 3.0 mg/ethinyl estradiol (EE) 0.02 mg as a 24/4 regimen (DRSP/EE-24/4) for contraception also may use it for treatment of moderate acne. The study used a US national healthcare database to assess acne-related healthcare resource utilization among women aged 18-45 years before (pre-index) and after (post-index) initiation of DRSP/EE-24/4.
  
  
  METHODS
  Resource utilization and costs were evaluated by age group (18-25, 26-35, or 36-45 years) and by type of acne medication (systemic antibiotic, topical, or anti-androgen).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data for 1340 women were evaluated. Overall, drug costs, medical costs, and total costs were decreased by 38%, 37%, and 37%, respectively (p<0.0001 for all) between the pre-index and post-index periods; significant differences were evident across age groups and acne medication categories. Total costs were significantly decreased for patients (41%) and healthcare plans (36%; p<0.0001 for both) overall and across age groups and drug classes. Acne-related claims and number of days using acne medication were reduced (by 37% each; p<0.0001 for both).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study was retrospective in design and had a limited follow-up period. Database limitations restricted assessment of medication compliance and adherence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DRSP/EE-24/4 use was associated with substantial reductions in acne-related healthcare resource utilization, and reductions occurred regardless of age or type of acne medication. DRSP/EE-24/4 therefore represents a cost-effective option for the treatment of acne among women using DRSP/EE-24/4 for oral contraception.
authors: Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Wayne, NJ 07470, USA. vijay.joish@bayer.com
authors: Vijay N
authors: VN
authors: Joish
authors: Susan
authors: S
authors: Boklage
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Lynen
authors: Anja
authors: A
authors: Schmidt
authors: Jay
authors: J
authors: Lin
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000736:Androstenes / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007345:Insurance Claim Review; D008875:Middle Aged; D012102:Reproductive Control Agents / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000736:Androstenes; D012102:Reproductive Control Agents; C534342:drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol combination; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol