title: A randomized trial of leukotriene receptor antagonist montelukast in moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis of adults.
abstract: Leukotriene receptor antagonists are recommended for the treatment of asthma, and have proved anecdotally successful even in atopic dermatitis. Standard treatments of atopic dermatitis are often unsatisfactory. Accordingly, we compared montelukast, 10 mg/day, with a combined regimen (orally administered cetirizine and clarythromycin, topical corticosteroids and hydrating preparations) for treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis of adults. The trial was designed as a randomized single-blind study. SCORAD, eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP), eosinophilic protein X (EPX) serum levels were assessed at baseline and after 6 weeks in 32 adult patients with atopic dermatitis (16 treated with montelukast; 16 treated with the combined regimen). Similar improvements, evaluated in term of SCORAD reductions, were detected in both groups (Mann-Whitney, p < 0.05), while ECP and EPX levels significantly reduced within each group (Welch's approximate t, p < 0.05). We conclude that montelukast is as effective as the comparison combined regimen to treat atopic dermatitis of adults.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Milan, Ospedale Maggiore IRCCS, Via Pace 9, 20122 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Capella
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Grigerio
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Altomare
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D001798:Blood Proteins; D017332:Cetirizine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017291:Clarithromycin; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D047091:Eosinophil Granule Proteins; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006801:Humans; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011804:Quinolines / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012260:Ribonucleases; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013440:Sulfides; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D001798:Blood Proteins; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D047091:Eosinophil Granule Proteins; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists; D011804:Quinolines; D013440:Sulfides; D012260:Ribonucleases; D017291:Clarithromycin; C093875:montelukast; D017332:Cetirizine