Calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate foam demonstrates comparable efficacy to clinical trial data in the real world, improves patient satisfaction and is cost-effective.

Real-world evidence studies are becoming increasingly important in providing insight into clinical effectiveness and safety, economic outcomes, patient-reported outcomes and health-related quality of life of treatments in the clinical setting. These studies also help to complement data reported in clinical studies. Fixed-dose combination calcipotriol 50 µg/g plus betamethasone dipropionate 0.5 mg/g cutaneous foam (Cal/BD foam) is a topical agent used for the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris. In clinical studies, Cal/BD foam has demonstrated a significantly greater efficacy and rapid onset of action compared with both single and combination formulations such as ointments and gels. To date, three observational studies have examined the real-world efficacy and safety of Cal/BD foam in clinical practice in the United States, Germany and Spain. Data gathered from these studies reinforce the positive findings reported in clinical studies assessing Cal/BD foam for the treatment of psoriasis and demonstrate improved patient satisfaction with Cal/BD foam. Using Cal/BD foam has been shown to be cost-effective based on results from randomised clinical trials and cost-effective analysis. As such, Cal/BD foam has the potential to lower treatment costs by reducing the need for some patients to progress to more expensive treatments, such as phototherapy and biologics. Cal/BD foam is therefore a cost-effective solution for the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris that should be considered when prescribing topicals.