Patient and Caregiver Perception of Antibiotics and Antibiotic Resistance in the Context of Managing Acne Vulgaris (AV), and Patient Global Assessment (ptGA) of AV Among Patients Administered Sarecycline in US Clinical Practices: Results from PROSES Study

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate perceptions about antibiotics and antibiotic resistance among adult patients and caregivers of pediatric patients with AV, and ptGA of AV, in the cohort of 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, adult patients and caregivers of pediatric patients with AV were individually asked about their concerns about using (self, or for child, respectively) antibiotics for AV, and the concerns about antibiotic resistance; responses were on a 5-point likert scale of 0 (not at all) to 4 (extremely). ptGA of AV was assessed on a 5-point likert scale of (0 (clear), 1 (almost-clear), 2 (mild), 3 (moderate), 4 (severe)) at baseline and week-12. Results: A total of 253 AV patients completed the study (adults 60.08%; pediatric 39.92%). Regarding concerns about antibiotics to manage AV, 20.39% of adult AV patients and 31.68% of caregivers (of pediatric AV patients) were somewhat/moderately/extremely concerned; 24.34% and 33.66% of adults and caregivers respectively were slightly concerned, and 55.26% and 34.65% of adults and caregivers respectively were not at all concerned. Regarding concerns about antibiotic resistance, 27.63% and 34.65% of adults and caregivers respectively were somewhat/moderately/extremely concerned; 25.66% and 34.65% of adults and caregivers respectively were slightly concerned, and 46.71% and 30.69% of adults and caregivers respectively were not at all concerned. On ptGA of AV, 59.29% of patients reported clear/almost clear at Wk-12. Conclusion: Within the study cohort administered sarecycline, a narrow-spectrum, tetracycline-derived antibiotic, adult patients, and caregivers of pediatric patients expressed less concerns about antibiotics or antibiotic resistance at baseline; majority of patients reported clear/almost clear AV after 12 weeks of sarecycline treatment.