The steroid-sparing effect of an emollient therapy in infants with atopic dermatitis: a randomized controlled study.
BACKGROUND
No study has clearly demonstrated the steroid-sparing effect of emollients in the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD).


OBJECTIVE
Evaluating the effect of an emollient containing oat extracts on the amount of topical corticosteroids used in infants with moderate to severe AD.


METHODS
During 6 weeks, 173 infants under 12 months old treated for inflammatory lesions by moderate- and/or high-potency topical corticosteroids randomly received the emollient or not (control group).


METHODS
Evaluation of corticosteroid consumption by weighing the tubes, disease severity by the Scoring Atopic Dermatitis Index (SCORAD), and infants' and parents' quality of life by Infant's Dermatitis Quality of Life Index and Dermatitis Family Impact scores at D0, D21 and D42.


RESULTS
Compared to the control group, the amount of moderate- and high-potency corticosteroids used in 6 weeks decreased by 7.5% (not significant) and 42% (p < 0.05), respectively, in the emollient group. The SCORAD index, and infants' and parents' quality of life significantly improved (p < 0.0001) in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The emollient treatment significantly reduced the high-potency topical corticosteroid consumption in infants with AD.
Grimalt
Ramon
R
Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. grimalt@ub.edu
Mengeaud
Valérie
V
Cambazard
Frédéric
F
D000287:Administration, Topical; D018554:Avena; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004643:Emollients / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D004643:Emollients; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D028321:Plant Preparations