A new formulation of an occlusive dressing containing betamethasone valerate 0.1% in the treatment of mild to moderate psoriasis.
BACKGROUND
Betamethasone valerate (BMV) is a medium-potency corticosteroid commonly used for the treatment of chronic psoriasis. Although occlusion has been shown to enhance the efficacy of BMV treatment, no ready-to-use occlusive BMV formulation is currently approved for the market.


METHODS
Forty-two patients with mild to moderate psoriasis and with symmetrical lesions were treated with BMV 0.1% tape and BMV 0.12% cream for 30 days in a half-side distribution. Both treatments resulted in a significant clinical improvement. Efficacy and tolerability were evaluated by comparison of pre-treatment and post-treatment psoriasis area and severity index and self-administered psoriasis area and severity index scores, and by comparison of the changes from baseline in clinical appearance and hydration.


RESULTS
Lesions treated with BMV 0.1% tape showed higher reductions from baseline in the psoriasis area and severity index and the self-administered psoriasis area and severity index scores (61.7% and 59.3%, respectively), compared with lesions treated with BMV 0.12% cream (39.5% and 34.0%, respectively). No serious local or systemic treatment-related adverse effects were reported.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate a higher efficacy of BMV 0.1% tape compared with BMV 0.12% cream in the treatment of mild to moderate chronic plaque psoriasis.
Pacifico
A
A
Department of Dermatology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
Daidone
R
R
Peris
K
K
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001624:Betamethasone Valerate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009779:Occlusive Dressings; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D001624:Betamethasone Valerate