Real world prescription trends of methotrexate for psoriasis in Argentina: results of a national survey

LUIS MAZZUOCCOLO; PAULA LUNA; SEBASTIAN MARCIANO; GIMENA CASTRO PEREZ; CAROLINA MARCHESI; JIMENA NOCITO; MARTIN KOLLER; JIMENA LORENZO; CLAUDIA KOCH; CRISTINA MARIELA ECHEVERRIA

JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGICAL TREATMENT

TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD

Año: 2017

0954-6634

OBJECTIVE:To describe dermatologists´ methotrexate (MTX) prescription trends for the treatment of psoriasis, and to identify variables associated with suboptimal MTX use.METHODS:Cross-sectional study of dermatologists from Argentina who completed a pre-designed survey focussed on MTX prescription characteristics. A multiple logistic regression model was used to identify variables independently associated with suboptimal MTX use (when less than 12 weeks and less than 15 mg/week were administrated in patients with monotherapy before discontinuing or adding a second drug).RESULTS:Two hundred and twenty-one dermatologists participated in the study. Median time of practice in dermatology: 10 (IQR 3-15) years. MTX initial dose: 2.5-7.5, 10-15 and 20-30 mg/week in 52%, 41% and 7% of the participants, respectively. Suboptimal MTX use was observed in 76% of the participants. Thirty per cent of the participants responded that they considered MTX to be an ineffective drug. The only variable that was independently associated with suboptimal MTX use was the prescriber´s personal consideration of MTX to be an ineffective drug (OR 2.29; 95%CI 1.05-5.00).CONCLUSION:A wide heterogeneity in the prescribing profile of MTX for the treatment of psoriasis was observed among Argentinean dermatologists. Suboptimal MTX use was identified in the majority of the prescribers.