title: Long-term efficacy and safety of pimecrolimus cream 1% in adults with moderate atopic dermatitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pimecrolimus cream 1% is a non-steroid, selective inflammatory cytokine inhibitor indicated for atopic dermatitis (AD).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the safety and efficacy of pimecrolimus cream 1%-based treatment versus conventional therapy in adults with moderate AD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were randomized to receive pimecrolimus cream 1% (n = 62) or vehicle (n = 68) at the first signs/symptoms of AD, for 24 weeks as required. A moderately potent topical corticosteroid (prednicarbate 0.25% cream) was allowed in both groups to treat flares.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Corticosteroids were required on fewer days in the pimecrolimus group, compared with the vehicle group (9.7 vs. 37.8%, p < 0.001). Furthermore, 59.7% of pimecrolimus-treated patients experienced no flares during the study period, compared with 22.1% of vehicle-treated patients (p < 0.001). Pimecrolimus cream 1% was well tolerated throughout the study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For adults with moderate AD, pimecrolimus cream 1% is well tolerated, reduces the incidence of flares, reduces/eliminates corticosteroid use, improves long-term disease control and enhances the patients' quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Hautklinikum, Universitätsklinikum der TU, Dresden, Germany. meurer@rcs.urz.tu-dresden.de
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meurer
authors.forename: Manige
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fartasch
authors.forename: Gisela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Albrecht
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vogt
authors.forename: Margitta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Worm
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ruzicka
authors.forename: Peter Josef
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Altmeyer
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: Gottfried
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Weidinger
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Braeutigam
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; C117268:pimecrolimus; D016559:Tacrolimus