Subject: : Participation in surveillance “Assessment of utilization pattern of sunscreens in Indian patients with facial acne”
Acne vulgaris is one of the most frequent skin disorders and can significantly disturb quality of life. Acne pathogenesis includes augmented sebum production, alteration of keratinization, follicular colonization by Propionibacterium acnes (Cutibacterium acnes) and increased levels of inflammatory mediators around pilosebaceous units.
Sunlight and UV light are mistakenly thought to be beneficial for acne and can be used as a treatment. Sun exposure, environmental humidity, pollution, diet, harsh skincare, lack of sleep, and stress are among the exposome factors which can induce or worsen acne. Using sunscreen products can reduce the influence of ultraviolet rays on skin barrier and reduce skin pigmentation after inflammation. At the same time, the moisturizing ingredient added in sunscreen can also improve the skin barrier function. Sunscreens are strongly recommended in acne patients (Fitzpatrick skin Type IV or higher, or significant occupational, or recreational sun exposure), and in patients who already have signs of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). There are two known types of sunscreens depending on one of two mechanisms: Ultraviolet (UV) blocking and UV absorbing. UV-blocking agents typically contain titanium dioxide and zinc dioxide, which provide physical filtering against UV light and tend to be chalky in consistency. UV-absorbing agents (e.g. Tinosorb S), on the other hand, are chemical agents commonly found in an aqueous base. For at-risk patients, the recommendation is to use a broad-spectrum photo protecting agent with UVB and UVA filter (sun protection factor 30–50 and protective clothing when exposed to the sun).
There is a lack of recent real-world evidence on use of sunscreens in patients with facial acne in India.
This retrospective, cross-sectional multicenter surveillance is planned to evaluate the utilization pattern of sunscreens in patients with facial acne in India.
We invite you to participate in this surveillance. On acceptance, you will need to capture the relevant data as mentioned in the standard Data Collection Form (DCF) provided, from the patient’s medical records (case papers and investigational reports – hereafter referred as source documents).
We would recommend you to capture data fulfilling the criteria as outlined in the protocol.
We wish to inform you that the DCF will capture all data in de-identified form and any identifiable parameters which may potentially disclose the identity of the patient such as name or address will strictly not be captured so as to ensure we maintain patient confidentiality. We would encourage you to carefully fill all available information to the fullest as recommended in the DCF.
In alignment with good clinical research practices, an independent CRO may monitor this surveillance and do the source data verification of the data captured in the DCF with copies of the patients’ source medical records (case papers and investigational reports) to ensure that the data entered in the DCFs are accurate and in alignment with the patients’ medical records.
If you agree to participate in the said surveillance, we would request you to sign and return the enclosed reply along with your visiting card for accuracy of records.
|
}}){kind=logo}
}})