title: Topical use of calcitriol 3 microg/g ointment in the treatment of mild-to-moderate psoriasis: results from an open-label study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Calcitriol is the active metabolite and hormonal analogue of vitamin D3. It is widely used for the topical treatment of psoriasis showing good tolerability and effectiveness.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the efficacy, tolerability and safety of calcitriol 3 microg/g ointment in mild to moderate plaque psoriasis involving sensitive areas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty patients with a body surface area < 35% were enrolled into a prospective open label clinical study. Patients were treated for 12 weeks with a twice daily calcitriol 3 microg/g topical ointment application. Efficacy and safety were assessed during the therapy and during a 6-month follow-up period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study demonstrated a high clinical remission rate which progressively increased throughout therapy (11.6% at week 4, 28.3% at week 8 and 63.3% at week 12). No serious adverse events and clinically relevant changes of calcium/phosphorus homeostasis were reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study suggests that calcitriol 3 microg/g ointment, applied twice daily, is an effective topical treatment for chronic psoriatic plaques involving less than 35% of the body surface and sensitive areas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Italy.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Carboni
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: de Felice
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bergamin
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chimenti
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009824:Ointments; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D009824:Ointments; D002117:Calcitriol