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Expert recommendations: the use of the fixed combination calcipotriol and betamethasone dipropionate gel for the topical treatment of psoriasis
Author(s) -
Daudén E.,
Bewley A.,
Lambert J.,
Girolomoni G.,
Cambazard F.,
Reich K.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of the european academy of dermatology and venereology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.655
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1468-3083
pISSN - 0926-9959
DOI - 10.1111/jdv.12443
Subject(s) - calcipotriol , betamethasone dipropionate , medicine , psoriasis , dermatology , betamethasone , clinical trial , quality of life (healthcare) , nursing
Treatment non‐adherence is a general challenge and a complex problem. It is a key factor that impacts the ‘real‐life’ effectiveness of topical treatments for chronic disorders, such as psoriasis. Here, we provide our expert opinion on the real‐life effectiveness of topical psoriasis treatment, using the fixed combination gel (Daivobet ® gel; calcipotriol plus betamethasone dipropionate) as a case study. The fixed combination gel is a first‐line topical treatment for mild‐to‐moderate psoriasis, developed to be the gold‐standard therapy for psoriasis patients. This fixed combination gel is an effective and well‐tolerated topical psoriasis treatment that the majority of our patients prefer to the ointment formulation. We assessed our real‐life experience and considered any gaps between daily practice and clinical trials data. We recommend a multifaceted approach to improve real‐life effectiveness and bridge the gap between investigational trials and treatment reality and propose the following recommendations: (1) educate primary healthcare providers on how to effectively manage topical psoriasis treatment and the patients who use the treatment; (2) educate the patient on why treatment needs to be maintained, even when symptoms improve; and (3) provide a supportive environment that will not allow the patient to feel abandoned. A patient‐centric approach may improve adherence, which will lead to patients receiving more effective treatment for psoriasis.