title: A comparison of treatment with dithranol and calcipotriol on the clinical severity and quality of life in patients with psoriasis.
abstract: In a multicentre, randomized, open study, 306 patients of either sex, over 18 years of age with stable chronic plaque psoriasis > 100 cm2 in surface area, and who gave informed consent, applied Dovonex (calcipotriol) ointment (50 micrograms/g) twice daily or Dithrocream (short-contact dithranol) 0.1-2% for up to 3 months. The number of patients 'cleared' or with 'marked improvement' at the end of treatment were: investigators' assessment--calcipotriol 92 of 153 (60.1%); dithranol 67 of 131 (51.1%); odds ratio 1.44 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.90, 2.31; P = 0.128]; patients' assessment--calcipotriol 93 of 153 (60.8%); dithranol 65 of 131 (49.6%); odds ratio 1.57 (95% CI 0.98, 2.52; P = 0.059). Significant improvement in patients' quality of life as assessed by the Psoriasis Disability Index (PDI) and the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP) were seen in both treatment groups. Reduction in the total mean score for PDI was 6.5 in the calcipotriol group (95% CI 4.4, 8.6; P = 0.001) and 3.7 in the dithranol group (95% CI 1.1, 6.3; P = 0.005). The reduction in the total mean score for SIP was 2.8 in the calcipotriol group (95% CI 1.4, 4.3; P < 0.001) and 1.7 in the dithranol group (95% CI 0.2, 3.1; P = 0.024). Calcipotriol treatment tended to have advantages over treatment with dithranol in improving quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Health Centre, Woking, Surrey, U.K.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Wall
authors.forename: T F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Poyner
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Menday
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000875:Anthralin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009824:Ointments; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D016896:Treatment Outcome