Topical preparations for the treatment of psoriasis: results of a retrospective study over 15 years.
BACKGROUND
Psoriasis requires lifelong treatments that depend on the extent, clinical forms and associated conditions.


OBJECTIVE
To retrospectively analyze which topical treatments were used, their efficacy, and potential advantages and disadvantages.


METHODS
A total of 666 patients admitted for the first time over 15 years who were topically treated were retrospectively reviewed and subdivided using clinical forms and PASI into four groups and four subgroups for the applied treatments. For each treatment the mean PASI was calculated daily: on the first, third and sixth day. An X sample statistical analysis and Mann--Whitney U-test were performed. The hospitalization time and correlation with the response to treatment were analyzed.


RESULTS
A statistically significant response was recorded for every regimen. The best combination was clobetasol propionate plus eosin on alternate days with eosin plus cade oil. The highest score was recorded for the 'en plaques' psoriasis. The average length of treatment was of 7.5 days in the best combination. No statistically significant difference among the groups was recorded with respect to the length of hospitalization and PASI.


CONCLUSIONS
The statistically significant response for all the topical treatments analyzed and recorded in this study does not exclude a potential benefit due to hospitalization per se.
Department of Dermatology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy. anna.zampetti@gmail.com
Anna
A
Zampetti
Alessia
A
Barone
Daniela
D
Antuzzi
Paolo
P
Amerio
Antonello
A
Tulli
Claudio
C
Feliciani
Pierluigi
P
Amerio
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D002990:Clobetasol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004801:Eosine Yellowish-(YS) / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; C055085:calcipotriene; C062613:juniper tar; D002990:Clobetasol; D002117:Calcitriol; D004801:Eosine Yellowish-(YS)