• In Asia, 65 percent of the respondents feel that atopic dermatitis has a very large effect on their family's quality of life
• Almost half of the respondents spent over USD$300 on direct costs for atopic dermatitis treatments in past year
• Two out of three (66.5 percent) Asian respondents with acne feel embarrassed and self-conscious. Over 90 percent of respondents with acne have tried at least 2 treatment products and 10 percent have tried more than 10 products in the last 5 years

Hong Kong - 11 July 2013 – For the many affected by chronic skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis and acne, the toll these conditions can take on them and their families is immeasurable. From managing unexpected flare ups to trying to conceal symptoms, skin disease can be an extensive source of physical, emotional and financial pain.

Two recent studies by Menarini Asia-Pacific were commissioned to gain in-depth understanding of the impact of atopic dermatitis and acne separately focusing on the quality of life, social behaviour and the associated financial costs on its sufferers and caregivers.

"The studies provide in-depth insights on the prevalence of skin conditions and its high impact on the quality of life. With the increase in the flare-ups of skin conditions each year due to air pollution and changing of lifestyle, there is an unmet need to heighten our work with healthcare professionals in this region to provide dermatological treatment solutions to help patients and their caregivers manage skin conditions and achieve better quality of life," said Mr Brett Hayes, General Manager, Greater China, Menarini Asia-Pacific.

The Atopic Dermatitis Quality of Life study1 conducted with over 1000 mothers of children with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis spanned across 12 markets in Asia-Pacific region, indicated over 65 percent of respondents felt that atopic dermatitis had a very large impact on their quality of life.

Financially, the study also showed that 60 percent of respondents incurred high expenditures at a median spend of USD$794 in the past year when all direct costs, medical visits and associated costs are considered in totality. At least 95 percent of mothers have made at least one medical visit in the past year as a result. Approximately one in three mothers spend four hours a day or more caring for their child because of atopic dermatitis. More severely, 43 percent of working mother respondents said they have lost more than 7 days at work because they need to take care of the children afflicted with atopic dermatitis.

Traditional treatment approach heavily relies on topical corticosteroids (steroid-based treatment), however, non-steroid treatments have been clinically proven to offer safe and effective symptomatic relief and control for atopic dermatitis in infants, children and adults. Clinical research has indicated that steroid-free treatments can achieve fast relief from itch in less than 3 minutes2 and 90 percent of patients do not require steroid rescue medication². Such treatments provide key physiologic lipids, powerful hydration, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant effects to calm the skin, repair and protect the skin barrier.

"Atopic dermatitis is a growing skin condition and one of the most common chronic illnesses of childhood. More than 50 percent of patients will go on to develop asthma and allergic rhinitis if the disease is not managed properly," said Professor Ellis Hon, Department of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

"Personalised, targeted treatment regimen is important for optimal and effective disease management. It is mandatory to perform a detail evaluation on important history and physical features critical for the diagnosis and to review trigger factors and past therapies. Conflicting recommendations of topical steroid use has a detrimental effect on patient outcomes," Prof Hon continued. "There are non-steroid treatments available that can offer a good alternative as atopic dermatitis solutions especially for paediatric sufferers in this case."

Menarini Asia-Pacific also conducted a separate survey on acne with over 1,000 Asians respondents, aged 18 to 35 years, in India, Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore, to gather insights on consumer understanding on the causes of acne, the impact of acne on consumer social behaviour and self-esteem and their attitudes towards acne treatment products.

The study showed that approximately 66 percent of Asians indicated that they held back socially when they have acne, with 37 percent of respondents demonstrating that they are only comfortable meeting with their close friends.³

Acne can be emotionally and physically painful and sufferers want fast results. At least three in five respondents hope to see results within a week, while one in five respondents want to see results overnight3. Approximately 90 percent of respondents have tried at least two treatment products in the last five years; indicating that acne sufferers will try multiple products in search of a solution.

"Acne is one of the most common skin conditions affecting more than 460 million people in Asia,⁴ however, 52 percent³ of respondents would choose not to see a dermatologist for help," said Professor Giuseppe Micali, Dermatologic Clinic, University of Catania, Italy. Due to their sensitive skin type, selection and usage of skin care products for acne patients should be properly advised by consulted physicians. If patients are left free to choose their own treatments, the risk of compromising the ongoing prescription treatment is high and the likely onset of irritation, redness, dryness, and/or skin peeling should be seriously taken into consideration. "There are scientific evidences to suggest that certain dermocosmetic specifically formulated for acne-prone skin may enhance clinical outcome by improving on the treatment efficacy at the same time reducing associated side effects. With the product working on multiple root causes of acne, 85 percent of dermatologists have found the product effective while 99 percent of patients saw real improvement after only 6 weeks⁵."

- Ends –

About Menarini Asia-Pacific

Menarini is the world's largest Italian biopharmaceutical company with a heritage of over 127 years, with nearly 17,000 employees in over 100 countries. Here in Asia-Pacific, Menarini is focused on becoming a leading provider of important research based healthcare brands from around the world to improve the lives of people in the region. Menarini Asia-Pacific operates across the entire commercial value chain, from regulatory approval and product launch to lifecycle management with a diverse portfolio comprising proprietary and partnered brands in key therapeutic fields, including Dermatology, Primary Care, Allergy/Respiratory, Cardiovascular, Oncology/Specialty Care, Men's Health and Consumer Health.

For more information about Menarini Asia-Pacific, please visit http://www.menariniapac.com/

¹ "Atopic Dermatitis Quality of Life Study" Opinion survey 2011 conducted by Ipsos Healthcare and commissioned by Menarini Asia-Pacific.

² Boguniewicz M. and al., MAS063DP is Effective Monotherapy for Mild to Moderate Atopic Dermatitis in Infants and Children: A Multicenter, Randomized, Vehicle-Controlled Study. J Pediatr. 2008;152:854-859.

³ Truthseeker survey, Ogilvy Health. 2013.

⁴ IMS Health Q12011, Primary Market Research.

⁵ Aulisa L et al. Nuove Prospettive in Terapia (Suppl. I). 2009; 3-7.

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