ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To document the impact on patient-reported outcomes and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of treatment with imiquimod cream in patients with actinic keratosis (AK) and superficial basal cell carcinoma (sBCC). METHODS: This open-label, multicenter study included AK and sBCC patients eligible for treatment with imiquimod 5% cream. HRQoL was measured by the Skindex-17 and the Skin Cancer Index (SCI) and treatment satisfaction by the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication. RESULTS: 118 AK patients and 84 patients with sBCC were included. Low baseline HRQoL impairment was found on both questionnaires, which remained low after treatment, except for a small dip at the end of the application period. CONCLUSION: Imiquimod 5% cream treatment has no clinically relevant HRQoL impact in AK and sBCC patients according to the Skindex-17 and SCI. The effect of imiquimod treatment on HRQoL may be limited or these questionnaires do not fully capture relevant issues, such as fear of recurrence.
Subject(s)
Aminoquinolines/therapeutic use , Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use , Carcinoma, Basal Cell/drug therapy , Keratosis, Actinic/drug therapy , Quality of Life , Skin Neoplasms/drug therapy , Aged , Aminoquinolines/adverse effects , Antineoplastic Agents/adverse effects , Female , Humans , Imiquimod , Male , Middle Aged , Patient Satisfaction , Skin Cream/therapeutic use , Surveys and QuestionnairesSubject(s)
Hidradenitis Suppurativa/surgery , Electrosurgery/methods , Female , Humans , Male , Recurrence , Treatment Outcome , Wound HealingABSTRACT
Diabetes mellitus can be complicated by a variety of cutaneous manifestations. Good metabolic control may prevent some of these manifestations and may support cure. Unfortunately, most glucose-lowering drugs also have cutaneous side effects. It is important to be able to recognize these signs and symptoms and to either treat them appropriately or refer the patient to a dermatologist or diabetologist.
