An anchored matching-adjusted indirect comparison of fixed-dose combination calcipotriol and betamethasone dipropionate (Cal/BDP) cream versus Cal/BDP foam for the treatment of psoriasis

To undertake a comparison of Cal/BDP cream versus foam for the treatment of plaque psoriasis, with cross-trial population differences accounted for. An anchored matching-adjusted indirect comparison was undertaken, using individual patient data for Cal/BDP cream and published aggregated data for Cal/BDP foam. Altogether, 11 outcomes were analyzed, including PGA success, mPASI75, DLQI-related outcomes and treatment satisfaction across numerous domains. For each outcome an odds ratio or mean difference was calculated to represent the relative efficacy of Cal/BDP cream versus foam. Methods were guided by NICE Decision Support Unit recommendations. After adjustment, baseline characteristics were balanced across treatment arms in each analysis. There were no statistically significant differences in PGA success, mPASI75 or DLQI outcomes between Cal/BDP cream and foam when they were compared after their recommended treatment durations (8 weeks for cream and 4 weeks for foam). For treatment satisfaction after 1 week of treatment, Cal/BDP cream was significantly superior to the Cal/BDP foam in all but one domain of the questionnaire. Cal/BDP cream and Cal/BDP foam have equivalent efficacy and HRQoL (measured in DLQI) outcomes when used for the topical treatment of plaque psoriasis at their recommended treatment durations. A comparison of treatment satisfaction assessments after 1 week of treatment demonstrated that patients find Cal/BDP cream to be more convenient than foam.