European Evidence‐based (S3) Guidelines for the Treatment of Acne

Abstract

Nasty/Rzany An evidence-based guideline has been defined as 'a systematically developed statement that assists clinicians and patients in making decisions about appropriate treatment for a specific condition'.1 A guideline will never encompass therapy specifications for all medical decision-making situations. Deviation from the recommendations may, therefore, be justified in specific situations. This is not a textbook on acne, nor a complete, all-inclusive reference on all aspects important to the treatment of acne. The presentation on safety in particular is limited to the information available in the included clinical trials and does not represent all the available and necessary information for the treatment of patients. Additional consultation of specific sources of information on the particular intervention prescribed (e.g. product information sheet) is necessary. Furthermore, all patients should be informed about the specific risks associated with any given topical and/or systemic therapy. Readers must carefully check the information in this guideline and determine whether the recommendations contained therein (e.g. regarding dose, dosing regimens, contraindications, or drug interactions) are complete, correct, and up-to-date. The authors and publishers can take no responsibility for dosage or treatment decisions. Improvement in the care of acne patients The idea behind this guideline is that recommendations based on a systematic review of the literature and a structured consensus process will improve the quality of acne therapy in general. Personal experiences and traded therapy concepts should be critically evaluated and replaced, if applicable, with the consented therapeutic recommendations. In particular, a correct choice of therapy should be facilitated by presenting the suitable therapy options in a therapy algorithm, taking into account the type of acne and the severity of the disease. Reduction of serious conditions and scarring As a result of the detailed description of systemic therapies for patients with severe acne, reservations about these interventions should be overcome to ensure that patients receive the optimal therapy. With the timely introduction of sufficient therapies, the development of serious post-acne conditions and severe scarring should be reduced. Promotion of adherence Good therapeutic adherence is key to treatment success. Adherence is facilitated by knowledge of the product being used, for example treatment duration, the expected onset of effect, the sequence of the healing process, the maximal achievable average effect, expected adverse events and the benefit to quality of life. Reduction of antibiotic resistance The use of topical and systemic antibiotics should be optimized by using appropriate combinations for a predefined duration, to reduce the development of antibiotic resistance. Health care professionals This guideline has been developed to help health care professionals provide optimal therapy to patients with mild, moderate or severe acne. The primary target groups are dermatologists and other professionals involved in the treatment of acne, such as paediatricians and general practitioners. The target group may vary with respect to national differences in the distribution of services provided by specialists or general practitioners. Patients The recommendations of the guideline refer to patients who suffer from acne. These are mainly adolescents treated in outpatient clinics. The appropriate therapy option is presented according to the type of acne that is present. The primary focus is the induction therapy of facial acne (see Chapter 1.6). Non-primary target groups are patients with special forms of acne, such as, occupational acne, chloracne, acne aestivalis, acne neonatorum, acne inverse (hidradenitis suppurativa). European guidelines are intended for adaptation to national conditions. It is beyond the scope of this guideline to take into consideration the specific costs and reimbursement situations in every European country. Differences in prices, reimbursement systems, willingness and ability to pay for medication among patients and the availability of generics are too large. Therefore, pharmacoeconomic considerations will have to be taken into account when guidelines are developed at national and local levels. The personal financial and health insurance situation of a patient may necessitate amendments to the prioritization of treatment recommendations. However, if financial resources allow, the suggested ranking in the therapeutic algorithm should be pursued. The skin type and stage of disease has to be taken into consideration when choosing the vehicle for topical treatments. The efficacy and safety/tolerability of topical treatments are largely influenced by the choice of vehicle. The face is the primary region of interest for the treatment of acne. Appearance, scarring, quality of life and social stigmatization are important considerations when dealin