title: Long-term control of atopic dermatitis with pimecrolimus cream 1% in infants and young children: a two-year study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The safety and efficacy of treatment with pimecrolimus cream 1% was evaluated for up to 2 years in infants and young children with atopic dermatitis. Ninety-one patients participated in a 1-year, open-label extension to a 1-year double-blind study. Of these, 76 received pimecrolimus for 2 years. Pimecrolimus was applied twice daily at the first signs or symptoms of the disease until clearance. Outcome measures included the incidence of adverse events and the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  No patient discontinued because of adverse events. The incidence of systemic and skin infections did not increase over time. Over the 2-year period, 2 patients experienced an episode of clinically diagnosed eczema herpeticum. In patients receiving pimecrolimus for 2 years, the mean decrease in EASI score from baseline was 68.7% at 3 months and 70.8% at 24 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment with pimecrolimus cream 1% for up to 2 years was well tolerated and resulted in a marked and sustained improvement of atopic dermatitis.
authors.affiliation: Probity Medical Research, Hannover Medical University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. kapapp@probitymedical.com
authors.forename: Kim A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Papp
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Werfel
authors.forename: Regina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fölster-Holst
authors.forename: Jean-Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Ortonne
authors.forename: Paul C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Potter
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: de Prost
authors.forename: Miles J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Barbier
authors.forename: Hans-Peter
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Goertz
authors.forename: Carle
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Paul
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009824:Ointments; D012074:Remission Induction; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009824:Ointments; C117268:pimecrolimus; D016559:Tacrolimus