Patients’ preferences of cutaneous leishmaniasis treatment outcomes: Findings from an international qualitative study

Abstract

Background Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a disease that often affects exposed skin areas and may heal leaving lifelong scars. Patients' expectations from treatment are rarely considered in drug development for CL. An initiative aiming to address shortcomings in clinical trial design and conduct for CL treatments involving the researchers' community is ongoing. This manuscript presents patient-preferred outcomes for CL and an assessment on how to consider these in the conduct of future trials. Methodology/Principal findings We report preferred treatment outcomes by 74 patients with confirmed CL in endemic regions of Brazil,

Psycho-social impacts, experiences and perspectives of patients with Cutaneous Leishmaniasis regarding treatment options and case management: An exploratory qualitative study in Tunisia

“…Whereas Erber and al. 's focus [12] was on patient's experience of the treatment of CL with the perspective of deriving patient-centered outcomes to be used as new endpoints to assess clinical trials.…”

“…Our scope was to identify the specific needs of the community of Tunisian CL patients in order to guide the leaders of the National Program of CL control to fine tune health education, prevention and management plans. Whereas Erber and al.‘s focus [ 12 ] was on patient’s experience of the treatment of CL with the perspective of deriving patient-centered outcomes to be used as new endpoints to assess clinical trials.…”

“…Although related, this Tunisian study therefore differs in its objectives, its analysis methodology, and therefore, its findings and implications, from Erber et al (2020) [12]. The data (transcripts and notes) obtained were analyzed independently, using a coding framework developed according to its specific aims and objectives, and a thematic analysis approach based on these coded data (further detailed in the section Data analysis).…”

“…This qualitative study was based on individual, semi-structured in-depth interviews conducted with ten CL patients in Sidi Bouzid and Gafsa, Tunisia. It was part of a large international multicenter study reporting patient-preferred treatment outcomes, where our group was highly involved [ 9 , 12 ].…”

Diagnosis of visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis using loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) protocols: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…paromomycin) or intralesional injections of pentavalent antimonial derivatives [ 30 ]. Lesions may leave disfiguring scars, possibly leading to stigmatization of recovered patients, having a long-term negative impact on psychological, social and economic well-being [ 31 , 32 ]. In contrast to CL, MCL is potentially life-threatening if untreated.…”