Factors Affecting Medication Adherence to Topical Acne Medications: a Single-center, Prospective Study Evaluating the Adherence and Patient Satisfaction to Single and Multiple Topical Acne Medications
Acne is a chronic condition that typically requires the use of multiple medications.1 Medication adherence is especially challenging for patients with chronic diseases and often decreases over time, especially for those using topical medications.1 Nonadherence can result in multiple negative effects including treatment failure, increased healthcare costs, and decreased quality of life. Primary nonadherence refers to problems acquiring and starting treatment. Challenges to this form of nonadherence include a lack of knowledge, misunderstanding of usage, poor communication with provider, increased cost, and fear of side effects.2 Secondary nonadherence refers to when the patient does not use the medication as prescribed. Hurdles to secondary nonadherence include delayed results, increased complexity of treatment plan, adverse effects, busy lifestyle, and inconvenience.2
• Adult patients ≥18 years of age
• Patients with a current diagnosis of acne
• Patients who live in the US,
• Patients have sufficient command of the English language