Benefits from the use of a pimecrolimus-based treatment in the management of atopic dermatitis in clinical practice. Analysis of a Swiss cohort.
BACKGROUND
Controlled studies established the efficacy and good tolerability of pimecrolimus cream 1% for the treatment of atopic dermatitis but they may not reflect real-life use.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy, tolerability and cosmetic acceptance of a pimecrolimus-based regimen in daily practice in Switzerland.


METHODS
This was a 6-month, open-label, multicentre study in 109 patients (55% > or = 18 years) with atopic dermatitis. Pimecrolimus cream 1% was incorporated into patients' standard treatment protocols.


RESULTS
The pimecrolimus-based treatment was well tolerated and produced disease improvement in 65.7% of patients. It was particularly effective on the face (improvement rate: 75.0%). Mean pimecrolimus consumption decreased from 6.4 g/day (months 1-3) to 4.0 g/day (months 3-6) as disease improved. Most patients (74.1%) rated their disease control as 'complete' or 'good' and 90% were highly satisfied with the cream formulation.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of a pimecrolimus-based regimen in everyday practice was effective, well tolerated and well accepted by patients.
Simon
Dagmar
D
Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Bern, Bern, Switzerland. dagmar.simon@insel.ch
Lübbe
Jann
J
Wüthrich
Brunello
B
Wiesner
Alice
A
Weber
M Monika
MM
Laffitte
Emmanuel
E
Anliker
Mark D
MD
Schöni
Martin H
MH
Braathen
Lasse R
LR
Schmid-Grendelmeier
Peter
P
Gilgen Bobalj
Nicole
N
Schneider
Dirk
D
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009824:Ointments; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D019696:Peptidylprolyl Isomerase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D012449:Safety; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors; D009824:Ointments; C117268:pimecrolimus; D019696:Peptidylprolyl Isomerase; D016559:Tacrolimus