The BEST study: results according to prior treatment

Combination topical products may provide the best available treatment option to patients with acne because the majority of these products not only combine drugs with 2 distinct mechanisms of action but also avoid systemic adverse events that may be associated with oral therapies. Recently, the BenzaClin (benzoyl peroxide/ clindamycin topical gel) Efficacy and Satisfaction Trial (BEST) was conducted. This large, open-label, multicenter study assessed patient satisfaction, treatment efficacy, and quality of life (QOL) in response to 8 weeks of treatment with benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin topical gel. Patients who were previously dissatisfied with their current acne therapy were enrolled in the study. This paper presents results stratified by prior treatment in patients who were receiving benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin, other topical antibiotics, or retinoids prior to study enrollment. Mean patient satisfaction scores were significantly increased regardless of which prior treatments were used (P < or = .0001 for all groups). Furthermore, acne severity was significantly improved among all groups (P < or = .0001), with more than 90% of most groups experiencing marked, moderate, or mild improvements in their acne by the end of the study. Patient satisfaction is an important element in the experience of acne because it is usually linked to improved efficacy; therefore, assurance of patient satisfaction with therapy is a significant consideration in the treatment of this illness.