title: A double-blind comparison of 0.25% and 0.05% desoxymethasone, 0.1% betamethasone valerate and 1% hydrocortisone creams in the treatment of eczema.
abstract: The efficacy and acceptability of 0.25% and 0.05% desoxymethasone, 0.1% betamethasone valerate and 1% hydrocortisone creams were compared in patients with eczema. A double-blind parallel group multi-centre design was employed in which 96 patients were recruited by four centres. Patients used one cream for a 3-week period and follow-up assessment visits were made at weekly intervals. Efficacy variables were: erythema/redness, scaling, itching and extent of area affected. These variables were assessed by both the investigator and the patient. The 0.25% desoxymethasone was the most effective treatment, producing the greatest degree of improvement in all clinical parameters, hydrocortisone was the least effective and 0.05% desoxymethasone was of intermediate effectiveness. The 0.1% betamethasone produced similar results to 0.25% desoxymethasone for half the assessments; for the other half the results were similar to 0.05% desoxymethasone. No adverse effects were reported during the study. The results are discussed in terms of physical properties of the vehicles and corticosteroid potency.
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Ashton
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Catterall
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Morley
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fairris
authors.forename: D N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Joseph
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D001624:Betamethasone Valerate / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D003899:Desoximetasone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004485:Eczema / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009824:Ointments; D011897:Random Allocation
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D009824:Ointments; D003899:Desoximetasone; D003907:Dexamethasone; D001623:Betamethasone; D001624:Betamethasone Valerate; D006854:Hydrocortisone