Duration of oral antibiotic therapy for the treatment of adult acne: a retrospective analysis investigating adherence to guideline recommendations and opportunities for cost-savings.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The duration of oral antibiotic acne therapy for adolescents compared with guidelines was recently investigated; however it was uncertain if duration of antibiotics for adult acne therapy differed.

OBJECTIVE:

This study aimed to evaluate duration of oral antibiotics for adult acne compared with guidelines and determine possible cost-savings.

METHODS:

This was a retrospective cohort study of MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters database that incorporated claims data to determine duration and costs of antibiotic treatment among adults ages 21 years and older.

RESULTS:

Of 17,448 courses, 84.5% (14,737) aligned with duration guidelines, although 12,040 (69.0%) courses did not include concomitant topical retinoid therapy. Mean savings of $592.26 per person could result if prolonged courses met guidelines. Mean (median) costs of generic and branded formulations for the most frequent course duration (90-179 days) were $103.77 ($54.27) and $1421.61 ($1462.25), respectively.

LIMITATIONS:

Actual patient prescription adherence is uncertain and database lacks information regarding acne severity, patient physical characteristics, and clinical outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS:

The majority of oral antibiotic course durations follow guidelines, although topical retinoids are underused. Costs of antibiotic therapy were lower for shorter courses and those using generic medications; the cost-effectiveness of these modifications has not been investigated.

• Authors: Chelsey E Straight, Young H Lee, Guodong Liu, Joslyn S Kirby
• Journal: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (J Am Acad Dermatol) Vol. 72 Issue 5 Pg. 822-7 (May 2015) ISSN: 1097-6787 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 25752715 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2015 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents

Topics

• Acne Vulgaris (drug therapy)
• Administration, Oral
• Adolescent
• Adult
• Anti-Bacterial Agents (administration & dosage, economics)
• Cohort Studies
• Cost Savings
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Practice Guidelines as Topic
• Retrospective Studies