title: Cryotherapy of common viral warts at intervals of 1, 2 and 3 weeks.
abstract: We studied the efficacy, and time to clearance, of more frequent cryotherapy of viral warts, by randomizing 225 patients to receive treatment at 1-, 2- or 3-weekly intervals. The mean times to clearance of warts in each group were 5.5, 9.5 and 15 weeks in the weekly, 2-weekly and 3-weekly groups, respectively (P < 0.01). Cure rates after 3 months correlated with frequency of treatment (P < 0.05). After 3 months, 43% (66% of non-defaulters) had cleared in the group treated weekly, 37% (47%) of the group treated every 2 weeks, and 26% (30%) of those treated every 3 weeks. The mean numbers of treatments needed to achieve clearance were similar in each group (5.5, 4.75 and 5 treatments). After 12 treatments, cure rates were similar for all three groups: 43% for the weekly-treated group (3 months), 48% for the 2-weekly group (6 months), and 44% for the 3-weekly group (9 months). Percentage cure is related to the number of treatments received, and independent of the interval between treatments. A more rapid cure may, therefore, be achieved by more frequent treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Leicester Royal Infirmary, U.K.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Bourke
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Berth-Jones
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Hutchinson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001768:Blister / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017679:Cryotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D003880:Dermatology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014860:Warts / Q000628:therapy*; D016526:Workload