title: The clinical assessment of topical corticosteroid activity.
abstract: Glucocorticoid-induced vasoconstriction of human skin has provided a useful guide to topical anti-inflammatory activity. The concentration and base in which a steroid is used influence this activity, and traditional greasy ointments are probably the most effective vehicles. Confirmation of clinical effectiveness should be by double-blind comparison in patients with bilateral skin lesions. Psoriasis provides a more discriminating test of steroidal activity than eczema; the use of occlusive dressings may mask differences between compounds. Short-term trials are informative but in patients with chronic diseases, longer studies should also be done.
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001624:Betamethasone Valerate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004485:Eczema / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005446:Fluocinolone Acetonide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005478:Flurandrenolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009779:Occlusive Dressings; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D005446:Fluocinolone Acetonide; D005478:Flurandrenolone; D001623:Betamethasone; D001624:Betamethasone Valerate; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide; D006854:Hydrocortisone