Patient and healthcare provider perspectives on treatment patterns and patient satisfaction of seborrheic dermatitis in the United States.

Abstract

Introduction: Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) affects a large, diverse population and is associated with significant morbidity/burden.

Methods: The Harris Poll conducted online surveys to understand the perceptions, preferences, and experiences regarding treatments of US patients with SD and dermatology healthcare providers (HCPs) from December 2021 to January 2022.

Results: In this survey, patients using SD treatment invested on average 34 min/d treating SD with 5.9 different treatments/week (cost: ∼$650/year). HCPs underestimated duration of SD treatment (16 min/d). Most patients agreed current treatment options are too time-consuming (61%), and would be more likely to continue a regimen with fewer treatments (88%). Few patients were 'very satisfied' with treatment option affordability (19%) and prescription treatment effectiveness (25%); only 8.7% of HCPs were satisfied with prescription SD treatment options available. Most patients acknowledged SD was difficult to treat (73%) and were interested in trying new treatments (87%). HCPs expressed the need for new treatments (92%) and agreed patients would be interested in trying them (95%). Patients prioritized symptom relief over look/feel of product and regimens that could be easily incorporated into hair routines. Patients would like HCPs to consider skin tone when recommending treatments (81%) and agreed cultural background affects treatment preference (55%).

Conclusions: These findings suggest a need for SD treatments that address patient concerns/frustrations with current time-intensive complex regimens, and consider diverse hair care routines/cultural backgrounds.