Pimecrolimus 1% cream for the treatment of steroid-induced rosacea: an 8-week split-face clinical trial.
BACKGROUND
Steroid-induced rosacea is a relatively common dermatosis that is caused by the prolonged application of topical steroid to the face.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this investigator-blind, split-face study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pimecrolimus 1% cream for the treatment of steroid-induced rosacea.


METHODS
Patients were instructed to apply pimecrolimus 1% cream twice daily to the involved areas of a randomly allocated half side for the first 2 weeks, and to follow this by applying pimecrolimus 1% cream to both sides for a further 6 weeks.


RESULTS
Fifteen of the 18 patients completed the 8-week study. After 1 week of application, a statistically significant improvement was observed for investigator's global assessments of erythema and papules on prior-treated sides (P-side). Later-treated sides (L-side) showed subsequent improvement after use of pimecrolimus on the L-side. Likewise, a statistically significant improvement was also observed for numbers of papules/pustules on P-sides after 1 week, and L-sides showed a significant improvement after application of pimecrolimus on the L-side. Comparative reflectance colorimetric assessments revealed that DeltaL*, Deltaa* and Deltab* tended to converge to zero during the first 4 weeks. A statistically significant improvement was observed for percentage area affected on P-sides after 1 week of application. The L-side showed a significant improvement after use of pimecrolimus cream on that side. The visual analogue scale of P-sides decreased more rapidly than those of L-sides. Cutaneous side-effects were mild and transient.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that pimecrolimus 1% cream is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for steroid-induced rosacea.
Lee
D H
DH
Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 28 Yongon-Dong, Chongno-Gu, Seoul 110-744, Korea.
Li
K
K
Suh
D H
DH
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000328:Adult; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012393:Rosacea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; C117268:pimecrolimus; D016559:Tacrolimus