diflucortolone and Psoriasis

A double-blind, randomized clinical study was conducted to compare the efficacy and tolerability of twice-daily topical calcipotriol treatment with a combination treatment of calcipotriol once a day in the morning and diflucortolone valerate in the evening. Sixty-three patients with a clinical diagnosis of chronic plaque psoriasis and comparable psoriatic lesions on both sides of the body were included. After a washout phase of 1 week, psoriatic lesions were treated for 4 weeks with calcipotriol ointment twice daily on one side of the body and a combination of calcipotriol and diflucortolone valerate ointment on the other side. The treatment period was followed by a period of 4 weeks without any treatment. The psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) was used to compare the 2 groups. Furthermore, the overall therapeutic results were assessed independently by the investigators and by the patients. Both treatment regimens showed a significant, nearly identical, reduction in PASI. The mean PASI for calcipotriol alone was 5.7 at baseline, 1.9 after 4 weeks of treatment and 3.8 at the end of the follow-up period. For combination therapy, these values were 5.7, 1.8 and 3.8, respectively. There was a statistically significant advantage in favor of combined calcipotriol and diflucortolone valerate treatment at weeks 1 and 2 (p < 0.05); however, at the end of the treatment phase the difference between the 2 therapies was not significant. Subjective evaluation of efficacy by both the investigators and the patients revealed no difference between the 2 treatments. The frequency of side effects (e.g. irritation) was low in both groups. In conclusion, both therapies were effective for the treatment of chronic plaque-type psoriatic lesions. The combination of calcipotriol and a topical steroid appeared to produce a more rapid clinical response and was shown to be as effective as calcipotriol therapy alone.

Topics: Administration, Topical; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Calcitriol; Dermatologic Agents; Diflucortolone; Double-Blind Method; Drug Administration Schedule; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Psoriasis; Severity of Illness Index; Treatment Outcome

Psychosocial factors have been implicated in the onset and exacerbation of psoriasis.. We conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study to investigate the effect of an antidepressant agent, moclobemide, on the course of psoriasis vulgaris.. Sixty subjects were enrolled in the study. Patients were randomly assigned to treatment groups. Patients received moclobemide 450 mg/day or placebo and a topical corticosteroid ointment (diflucortolone valerate) for 6 weeks. Patients were examined at the beginning of the study and at 2-week intervals. At each visit, the severity of psoriasis and psychologic status were evaluated with the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRS-D-17) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory including state (STAI-1) and trait anxiety (STAI-2).. Treatment efficacy was able to be evaluated in 22 patients in the moclobemide-treated group and in 20 in the placebo-treated group. The improvement rates in PASI, BDI, STAI-1, and HAM-A scores were significantly higher in the moclobemide treatment group. The level of state anxiety was diminished in the moclobemide group. Correlation was positive between improvement rates of the psoriatic lesions and state anxiety in all patients.. Our results suggest that an antidepressant drug is useful in the treatment of psoriasis.

Topics: Administration, Topical; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antidepressive Agents; Benzamides; Diflucortolone; Double-Blind Method; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Glucocorticoids; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Moclobemide; Psoriasis; Psychological Tests

90 patients suffering from chronic skin diseases-mainly psoriasis vulgaris-were treated in a double-blind-study for two weeks with topical Clobetasol-17-propionate compared with other topical corticoids. In 81% was seen a better therapeutical effect on the Clobetasol-17-propionate treated skin area.

Topics: Administration, Topical; Adolescent; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Adult; Aged; Betamethasone; Child; Clinical Trials as Topic; Clobetasol; Desoximetasone; Diflucortolone; Double-Blind Method; Eczema; Humans; Middle Aged; Neurodermatitis; Psoriasis

Topics: Administration, Oral; Administration, Topical; Adrenal Cortex; Adult; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Betamethasone; Budesonide; Clobetasol; Diflucortolone; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Eczema; Female; Humans; Hydrocortisone; Male; Middle Aged; Ointments; Pregnenediones; Psoriasis

Topics: Dermatitis; Diflucortolone; Drug Evaluation; Eczema; Fluocortolone; Humans; Neurodermatitis; Pregnadienediols; Psoriasis