title: Randomized controlled trial of the efficacy of cyclosporine in the treatment of atopic dermatitis in dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate efficacy of cyclosporine A, administered at either of 2 dosages, in dogs with atopic dermatitis (AD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Multicenter randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  91 dogs with AD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dogs were assigned to receive placebo (30 dogs), cyclosporine at a low dosage (2.5 mg/kg [1.1 mg/lb], PO, q 24 h for 6 weeks; 30 dogs), or cyclosporine at a high dosage (5.0 mg/kg [2.3 mg/lb], PO, q 24 h for 6 weeks; 31 dogs).
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 6 weeks, mean percentage reductions, compared with baseline scores, in scores of lesion severity were 34, 41, and 67% for dogs treated with the placebo, cyclosporine at the low dosage, and cyclosporine at the high dosage, respectively. Similarly, mean percentage reductions in pruritus scores were 15, 31, and 45%, respectively. Percentage reductions in skin lesion and pruritus scores were significantly higher for dogs given cyclosporine at the high dosage than for dogs given the placebo. Treatment efficacy was significantly associated with whether dogs had a history of seasonal AD. Percentage reductions in skin lesion and pruritus scores were high for dogs treated with cyclosporine at the highest dosage that had a history of nonseasonal AD. Dogs in all groups with seasonal AD improved during the study period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results suggest that oral administration of cyclosporine at a dosage of 5.0 mg/kg once daily is effective in reducing severity of pruritus and skin lesions in dogs with AD, especially those with nonseasonal disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27606, USA.
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Olivry
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Steffan
authors.forename: Roland D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Fisch
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Prélaud
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Guaguère
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fontaine
authors.forename: Didier N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Carlotti
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011537:Pruritus / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D012621:Seasons; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine