Measuring Adherence in Subjects With Acne Vulgaris in a Clinic Population Subtitle: Topical Benzoyl Peroxide for Acne

Phase 4

Completed

Brief Summary: The purpose of this research study is to see how often benzoyl peroxide is applied for acne. Use of medication was monitored electronically.

Detailed Description: We give subjects topical benzoyl peroxide, a standard first line acne treatment, in a container that records when the container is opened and closed. Subjects will simply be asked to "return in six weeks to see how well benzoyl peroxide works for them." Subjects initially will not be told that they are participating in a formal study. When they return with their medication, we will seek their informed consent to participate in the study. Verbal consent will be obtained at the beginning of the study. There will be no written consent obtained until the end of the study. By doing this, subjects will not be aware that adherence is being measured. Subjects will not be aware that they are participating in a study. Only if they consent would we then collect the medication container and monitor and retrieve the adherence data. If they do not consent, we will not have collected any research data on them except baseline acne severity measures which may have been collected anyway as part of their clinic treatment.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

Any male or female 13 to 18 years of age with a diagnosis of mild to moderate acne vulgaris by a dermatologist will be eligible for participation.
Verbal consent of participation must be given by parent or guardian and child.

Exclusion Criteria

Age less than 13 or greater than 18 years of age.
Known allergy or sensitivity to topical benzoyl peroxide gel in the subject.
Inability to complete all study-related visits.
Introduction of any other prescription medication, topical or systemic, for acne vulgaris while participating in the study.
Subjects should not be using topical retinoids or benzoyl peroxide products, including Proactive® or topical prescription medications for the treatment of acne vulgaris for at least 2 weeks prior to beginning the study. Oral medications for the treatment of acne should not have been used at least 4 weeks prior to beginning the study.
Women that are actively trying to become pregnant or wish to become pregnant during the time frame the study is to take place will be excluded.

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Benzoyl Peroxide 5%	Benzoyl Peroxide	Subjects will be given standard instructions in the use of topical benzoyl peroxide gel and will be provided with a supply of medication fitted with a Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS) cap. This cap records dates and times the assembly is opened which can be downloaded at the final visit and tabulated with associated software. When the tubes are weighed, data from the MEMS Caps will be collected. Study coordinators will record adherence, while assessors are blinded to adherence rates. All subjects will be assigned to treatment with topical benzoyl peroxide to the entire face.

Primary Outcome Measures