Clinician Perception of Antibiotics and Antibiotic Resistance in the Context of Managing Acne Vulgaris (AV), and Satisfaction With AV Treatment Outcomes Among Patients Administered Sarecycline in Clinical Practices Across the US: Results from PROSES Study

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate clinician perceptions about antibiotics and antibiotic resistance, and their satisfaction with AV treatment outcomes among AV patients administered sarecycline in community practices across the U.S. Methods: A single-arm, prospective cohort study (PROSES) was conducted with moderate-to-severe non-nodular AV patients >9 years who were prescribed sarecycline in real-world community practices in the US. At baseline, clinicians were asked about their concerns about antibiotic resistance, disruption of the microbiome with long-term antibiotic use, and the importance of narrow-spectrum antibiotics in supporting antibiotic stewardship; responses were on a 5-point likert scale of 0 (not at all) to 4 (extremely). Clinicians separately reported their level of satisfaction with sarecycline treatment outcomes at week-12. Results: A total of 253 AV patients (adults 60.08%; pediatric 39.92%) managed by 30 clinicians completed the study. Clinician concerns about antibiotic resistance to manage AV was - extreme:26.67%, moderate:40.00%, somewhat:20.00% and slightly/not-at-all:13.33%. Clinician concerns about disruption of microbiome associated with antibiotic use was - extreme:13.33%, moderate:50.00%, somewhat:20.00% and slightly/not-at-all:16.67%. Clinician reported importance of narrow-spectrum antibiotics in supporting antibiotic stewardship was - extreme:46.67%, moderate:43.33%, somewhat:10.00% and slightly/not-at-all:0%. Majority (88.14%) of clinicians reported very satisfied/satisfied with 12-week treatment outcomes associated with narrow-spectrum antibiotic sarecycline. Conclusion: Majority of clinicians expressed concerns about antibiotic resistance and associated disruption to microbiome and considered use of narrow-spectrum antibiotic as extremely/moderately important to antibiotic stewardship. Overwhelming majority of clinicians reported satisfaction with sarecycline treatment outcomes after 12 weeks of treatment with sarecycline, a narrow-spectrum, tetracycline-derived antibiotic.