The importance of patient and healthcare provider perceptions in the evaluation of imiquimod and other prior treatments for anogenital warts

The experience and satisfaction of healthcare providers and patients were assessed for various treatment options for anogenital warts. Patients were asked about their immediate experience with imiquimod cream 5% and-for patients with recurrent warts-their recall of prior experiences with other treatment options. Surveys were completed pre-study by 744 patients and poststudy by 399 patients and 69 healthcare providers; obstetricians/ gynaecologists were the predominant (25 of 69; 36%) specialty. Approximately two-thirds (475 of 744; 64%) of patients in the pre-study survey had previously, been treated for anogenital warts. Patients with recurrent warts were generally dissatisfied with prior therapies. In post-study surveys, imiquimod received favourable ratings from patients with recurrent warts and from patients treated for the first time. Healthcare providers rated imiquimod favourably for overall acceptance, convenience, and compliance. Perceptions of various treatments for anogenital warts by patients and healthcare providers can vary considerably. Therefore, comparative studies should include assessments of these perceptions to gain a full understanding of the relative merits of the therapies under investigation.