Real-world experience of calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate foam 0.005%/0.064% in the treatment of adults with psoriasis in the United States

Abstract

Background: Clinical trials have established calcipotriene 0.005%/betamethasone dipropionate 0.064% (Cal/BD) foam as a well-tolerated and efficacious topical therapy for psoriasis.Methods: A chart review of 24 US healthcare providers gathered real-world information (clinical characteristics and outcomes, safety, and resource utilization) for patients (≥18 years old) prescribed Cal/BD foam between January 1 and October 31, 2016, along with healthcare provider characteristics and perceptions of Cal/BD foam.Results: Data were reported from 105 patients and 177 active psoriatic lesions. Cal/BD foam was applied once-daily; the prescription was 4 weeks for 69/177 (39%) lesions (median 4, range 1–26 weeks). Knees (n = 41; 23%) and elbows (n = 37; 20%) were the most frequently treated areas. Among 114 lesions, severity improved from “mild”/“moderate”/“severe” to “clear”/“almost clear” in 71%, and 54% had a clinically significant improvement (two-step/greater improvement) in lesion severity from baseline. Of 128 lesions with baseline itch, 90% were not itchy at the best treatment response. Most healthcare providers reported prescribing Cal/BD foam because of its overall efficacy (n = 20/23; 87%). Adverse events were reported in 1/105 patients (1%).Conclusion: Data from real clinical practice demonstrate that Cal/BD foam improves psoriasis disease severity and associated itch in patients and further extend results of clinical trials.