TY - JOUR
T1 - Patients’ perspective on current treatments and demand for novel treatments in vitiligo
AU - Narayan, V. S.
AU - Uitentuis, S. E.
AU - Luiten, R. M.
AU - Bekkenk, M. W.
AU - Wolkerstorfer, A.
PY - 2021/3
Y1 - 2021/3
N2 - Background: The treatment of non-segmental vitiligo (NSV) remains a challenge. Current treatments often achieve suboptimal clinical results. To improve these treatment results, several new therapies are being developed and investigated. There is, however, little evidence on the actual need for novel therapies. Objective: To assess patients’ perspective on current and novel therapies for vitiligo. Methods: A prospective questionnaire study was conducted in a large cohort of vitiligo patients that consecutively visited the outpatient clinic of the Amsterdam University Medical Centre between April 2017 and January 2019. Patients were requested to fill in a digital questionnaire on patient characteristics, disease burden, quality of life, efficacy and satisfaction of current treatments and aspects regarding new treatments. Results: A total of 325 vitiligo patients completed the questionnaire (60% response rate). Of the respondents, 94% believed that new and improved treatments are needed and 86% would be willing to participate in clinical trials investigating a new therapy. Sixty-nine per cent would agree on taking weekly injections if it led to effective treatment results. Of the patients that had received therapy before, 49% reported that the current treatments were not effective and 50% was not satisfied with the current treatments. Sixty-seven per cent of the patients experienced facial lesions as an extreme burden, whereas this was, 25%, 12% and 10% for lesions on the hands, trunk and feet, respectively. The emotional burden score was significantly higher in dark skin types compared with light skin types (respectively, 8 vs 5, U P < 0.05). Conclusion: There is a substantial need for new vitiligo therapies. A considerable number of patients in our study are dissatisfied with current treatments and are emotionally burdened by the disease. Moreover, the vast majority demands novel treatments and is willing to participate in clinical trials.
AB - Background: The treatment of non-segmental vitiligo (NSV) remains a challenge. Current treatments often achieve suboptimal clinical results. To improve these treatment results, several new therapies are being developed and investigated. There is, however, little evidence on the actual need for novel therapies. Objective: To assess patients’ perspective on current and novel therapies for vitiligo. Methods: A prospective questionnaire study was conducted in a large cohort of vitiligo patients that consecutively visited the outpatient clinic of the Amsterdam University Medical Centre between April 2017 and January 2019. Patients were requested to fill in a digital questionnaire on patient characteristics, disease burden, quality of life, efficacy and satisfaction of current treatments and aspects regarding new treatments. Results: A total of 325 vitiligo patients completed the questionnaire (60% response rate). Of the respondents, 94% believed that new and improved treatments are needed and 86% would be willing to participate in clinical trials investigating a new therapy. Sixty-nine per cent would agree on taking weekly injections if it led to effective treatment results. Of the patients that had received therapy before, 49% reported that the current treatments were not effective and 50% was not satisfied with the current treatments. Sixty-seven per cent of the patients experienced facial lesions as an extreme burden, whereas this was, 25%, 12% and 10% for lesions on the hands, trunk and feet, respectively. The emotional burden score was significantly higher in dark skin types compared with light skin types (respectively, 8 vs 5, U P < 0.05). Conclusion: There is a substantial need for new vitiligo therapies. A considerable number of patients in our study are dissatisfied with current treatments and are emotionally burdened by the disease. Moreover, the vast majority demands novel treatments and is willing to participate in clinical trials.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85092170908&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.16927
DO - https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.16927
M3 - Article
C2 - 32893377
SN - 0926-9959
VL - 35
SP - 744
EP - 748
JO - Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology
JF - Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology
IS - 3
ER -