title: Comparative effects of calcipotriol (MC903) solution and placebo (vehicle of MC903) in the treatment of psoriasis of the scalp.
abstract: The efficacy and safety of calcipotriol solution in the treatment of scalp psoriasis was compared with placebo (vehicle solution), in a multicentre double-blind, randomized, parallel-group study of 49 adult patients. Calcipotriol solution (50 micrograms/ml), or placebo, was applied twice daily over a 4-week period. At the end of the study period 60% of patients on calcipotriol showed clearance or marked improvement of their psoriasis compared with 17% on placebo. Overall assessment of treatment response showed that calcipotriol was superior to placebo in both investigator (P < 0.001; 95% confidence interval for difference 19.0-67.6) and patient (P < 0.001; 95% confidence interval for difference 18.3-68.0) assessments. Total sign score for psoriasis (i.e. the sum of the scores for redness, thickness and scaliness) decreased by 48.9% in the calcipotriol group, and by 18.6% in the placebo group (P = 0.005). Calcipotriol was significantly superior to placebo in reducing redness, thickness, scaliness and extent of psoriasis, and in the patients' assessment in reducing scalp flaking and itching. No statistically significant changes in blood biochemistry were detected during the study, and the solution was generally well tolerated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, U.K.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ganpule
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kavanagh
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mallett
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rustin
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Downes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D012536:Scalp Dermatoses / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; C055085:calcipotriene; D002117:Calcitriol