title: A randomized, investigator-masked clinical evaluation of the efficacy and safety of clobetasol propionate 0.05% shampoo and tar blend 1% shampoo in the treatment of moderate to severe scalp psoriasis.
abstract: The clinical benefit of currently available tar blend shampoos for the treatment of scalp psoriasis is restricted due to their limited efficacy, low cosmetic appeal and potential for carcinogenicity. This 4-week multicentre, randomized, parallel-group, investigator-masked study included 162 subjects and aimed to compare the efficacy, safety and cosmetic acceptability of clobetasol propionate 0.05% shampoo versus a currently marketed tar blend 1% shampoo in subjects with moderate to severe scalp psoriasis. Clobetasol propionate shampoo was superior to tar blend shampoo with respect to all efficacy variables tested (p<0.001): Total and Global Severity Score; erythema; plaque thickening; desquamation; pruritus; total scalp area involved; and the subject's global assessment of clinical improvement. Both treatments were safe and well-tolerated. Furthermore, more subjects indicated that clobetasol propionate shampoo was more cosmetically acceptable than tar blend shampoo. Clobetasol propionate 0.05% shampoo is a good alternative to tar blend shampoo in the treatment of moderate to severe scalp psoriasis.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Centre, Hope Hospital, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Christopher E M
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Griffiths
authors.forename: Andrew Y
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Finlay
authors.forename: Colin J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Fleming
authors.forename: Jonathan N W N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Barker
authors.forename: Fabienne
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mizzi
authors.forename: Stéphanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arsonnaud
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D002990:Clobetasol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006203:Hair Preparations; D006801:Humans; D007641:Keratolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D012536:Scalp Dermatoses / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013638:Tars; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D006203:Hair Preparations; D007641:Keratolytic Agents; D013638:Tars; D002990:Clobetasol