Adherence to ustekinumab in psoriasis patients
Sandoval, L.F.; Huang, K.E.; Feldman, S.R.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology Jdd 12(10): 1090-1092
2013
ISSN/ISBN: 1545-9616 PMID: 24085042 Document Number: 10797
Adherence to the treatment of psoriasis is poor and effects treatment outcomes. Literature on adherence to biologic therapy for the treatment of psoriasis is limited and difficult to measure. However, ustekinumab, which until recently was only approved to be administered in office, offers an opportunity to assess adherence through chart review. The purpose of this study is to determine adherence rates and reasons for nonadherence to ustekinumab in the treatment of psoriasis. This was a single center, retrospective study involving a chart review of patients with a diagnosis of psoriasis and administration of ustekinumab seen at one clinic between October 1, 2009 and June 1, 2013. We assessed the number of injections administered, the time between injections, and reasons for nonadherence. 45 patients received ustekinumab for the treatment of psoriasis. The median time between doses of ustekinumab (n=164) was 13 weeks (91 days, interquartile range 89, 98). For patients that received at least 3 doses of ustekinumab, overall median adherence was 100% (IQR 66.7, 100). The median adherence to the 45 mg dose (n=26) was 100% (IQR 75, 100) and to the 90 mg dose (n=18) was 80% (IQR 60, 100; P=0.11). Only limited information was found on reasons for nonadherence. Adherence to ustekinumab in psoriasis patients appears to be higher than reported adherence rates to topical therapies and treatment with self-administered biologics. Many factors may contribute to the greater adherence.
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