Patient-Reported Outcomes in Acne Patients With Skin of Color Using Adapalene 0.3%-Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5%: A...

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Dermatologic Surgery
• Cosmetic Dermatology

Background:

• Acne vulgaris is a common condition affecting patients with skin of color (SOC) and Fitzpatrick skin types (FST) IV–VI.
• Evaluating treatment outcomes in diverse populations is crucial for equitable dermatologic care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess subject-reported outcomes of adapalene 0.3%/benzoyl peroxide 2.5% gel (0.3% A/BPO) in patients with SOC and moderate to severe acne vulgaris.
• To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of 0.3% A/BPO in a multi-ethnic population.

Main Methods:

• An open-label, 16-week interventional study was conducted in Mauritius, Singapore, and the USA.
• Participants included subjects of Asian, Latin-American, or Black/African-American ethnicity with FST IV-VI and moderate to severe facial acne (IGA 3-4).
• Subjects applied 0.3% A/BPO once daily with a supportive skincare regimen, with assessments including quality of life (QoL), Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA), Global Assessment of Improvement (GAI), and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).

Main Results:

• Fifty subjects were enrolled, predominantly with FST IV (74%) or V (22%).
• At 16 weeks, 77% of subjects reported satisfaction, 56% achieved clear or almost clear skin (IGA 0-1), and 87% showed good to excellent improvement (GAI).
• QoL significantly improved (from 16% to 55% reporting no effect of acne), and PIH decreased by an average of 27% in 75% of affected subjects.

Conclusions:

• 0.3% A/BPO treatment resulted in high patient satisfaction and good tolerability in patients with SOC and moderate to severe acne.
• The treatment effectively improved acne severity, quality of life, and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.
• This study supports the use of 0.3% A/BPO for managing acne in diverse skin types.