title: Worldwide utilization of topical remedies in treatment of psoriasis: a systematic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review published literature describing the global use of topical antipsoriatics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Search for English-language articles in Embase, Pubmed, PsycINFO and Cochrane Library.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-four selected publications were found, describing psoriasis patients' use of topical antipsoriatics, using six different methods to collect data. The eight most frequently used topical treatments from the regions North/South America, North/Central/South Europe, Asia, Middle East and Australia were: corticosteroids used by 16-79%, complementary and alternative medicines used by 10-62%, phototherapies used by 0.4-75%, calcipotriol used by 4.2-73%, corticosteroid/calcipotriol combinations used by 3.3-71%, tar used by 0.8-66%, anthralin used by 15% and emollients used as monotherapy by 1-23%. Rates of patient-reported adherence to topical remedies ranged from 51% to 90% and rates of patient-reported satisfaction with topical as it pertains to symptom control ranged from 12% to 52%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The identified use patterns are varying and reflect a lack of data from large parts of the world and noncomparable studies using heterogeneous study designs. However, this study emphasizes the importance of medical professionals involvement of the patient with respect to choosing prescribed topical treatment and the possibility of patients' use of alternative treatments. More drug utilization studies, both survey and register based, from different parts of the world are needed to provide more conclusive evidence about patients' use of topical antipsoriatics.
authors: a Department of Dermatology and Allergy Centre , Odense University Hospital , Odense C , Denmark.|b Dermatological Investigations Scandinavia, University of Southern Denmark , Odense C , Denmark.|c Centre for Innovative Medical Technology , Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark , Odense C , Denmark.
authors: Mathias Tiedemann
authors: MT
authors: Svendsen
authors: a Department of Dermatology and Allergy Centre , Odense University Hospital , Odense C , Denmark.
authors: Janithika
authors: J
authors: Jeyabalan
authors: a Department of Dermatology and Allergy Centre , Odense University Hospital , Odense C , Denmark.|b Dermatological Investigations Scandinavia, University of Southern Denmark , Odense C , Denmark.|c Centre for Innovative Medical Technology , Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark , Odense C , Denmark.
authors: Klaus Ejner
authors: KE
authors: Andersen
authors: a Department of Dermatology and Allergy Centre , Odense University Hospital , Odense C , Denmark.|b Dermatological Investigations Scandinavia, University of Southern Denmark , Odense C , Denmark.
authors: Flemming
authors: F
authors: Andersen
authors: d Research Unit of User Perspectives, Department of Public Health , University of Southern Denmark , Odense C , Denmark.
authors: Helle
authors: H
authors: Johannessen
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000875:Anthralin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; C055085:calcipotriene; D002117:Calcitriol; D000875:Anthralin
keywords: Psoriasis; corticosteroids; topical treatment; utilization