Teledermatology-driven topical therapy of actinic keratosis: a comparative study of clinical effectiveness and compliance.

BACKGROUND: Teledermatology (TD) provides efficient care for skin cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical effectiveness of imiquimod 5% for the treatment of AK with in-person care and through TD.

METHODS: Longitudinal prospective controlled study including patients with single AK diagnosed and treated at face-to-face visits (FTF group) or through teledermatology (TD group) with imiquimod 5% cream. The main outcome measures assessed were the complete and global response percentage (CR and GR) under per-protocol (PP) and intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis.

RESULTS: A total of 157 patients were enrolled (FTF = 75, TD = 82). PP analysis showed CR in 66.7% of FTF patients and 65.6% in TD patients (P > 0.05). The ITT yielded CR in 64.0% and 51.2% in FTF visits and TD, respectively (P = 0.073). The analysis showed an advantage of FTF care against TD in achieving GR (84.0% vs. 70.7%; P = 0.036). Facial location and local adverse reactions were the only explanatory factors of complete response in the ITT approach. Treatment completion was found in 90.7% and 72.0% in the FTF and TD groups, respectively (P = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS: Improvements in patient counselling at the primary care centre are needed before the implementation of TD as a routine methodology for the management of AK.