title: Influence of pimecrolimus cream 1% on different morphological signs of eczema in infants with atopic dermatitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the published studies on the efficacy of the topical immunomodulator pimecrolimus, different eczema scores were used, and the impact on morphological key signs of eczema was not analysed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the influence of pimecrolimus cream 1% on different standard eczema scores in infants with atopic dermatitis and to analyse the impact of treatment on the individual morphological key signs of eczema.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pimecrolimus cream 1% (n = 129) or double-blind vehicle control (n = 66) was administered for 4 weeks. The Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), Investigators' Global Assessment (IGA) and Scoring Atopic Dermatitis Index (SCORAD) were determined and were correlated with each other.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Following treatment with pimecrolimus, the EASI, IGA and SCORAD were significantly reduced on day 29 as compared with the vehicle group (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.002, respectively). There was a close correlation between EASI, IGA and SCORAD. The single parameters of the EASI were already significantly decreased by day 4 in the pimecrolimus group as compared to vehicle (each p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment with pimecrolimus 1% cream leads to a rapid improvement of all morphological signs of eczema. The close correlation of different scores was shown for the first time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Hannover Medical University, Germany. breuer.kristine@mh-hannover.de
authors.forename: Kristine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Breuer
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Braeutigam
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kapp
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Werfel
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004485:Eczema / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009824:Ointments; D011336:Probability; D012016:Reference Values; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D009824:Ointments; C117268:pimecrolimus; D016559:Tacrolimus