Diclofenac sodium 3% gel as a potential treatment for disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis.
BACKGROUND
Disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP) is a chronic cutaneous disorder of keratinization for which there is no known cure. Current therapies are often ineffective, painful, or unappealing.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the efficacy and safety of diclofenac sodium 3% gel for the treatment of DSAP.


METHODS
Seventeen adult patients with a diagnosis of DSAP applied diclofenac sodium 3% gel to a target area (forearm) twice daily for 3 months up to a maximum of 6 months in an open-label, multicentre pilot study. Target area lesion counts were performed monthly, and global lesion counts were performed at baseline and at weeks 12 and 24. A treatment satisfaction questionnaire was completed at weeks 12 and 24.


RESULTS
Thirteen patients completed 12 weeks of treatment and 10 completed 24 weeks. Among patients who completed 12 weeks, there was a mean decrease of 4% in target area lesions, while a mean increase of 12% was noted in global lesions. Among patients who completed 24 weeks, there was a mean increase of 19% in global lesions, but only a 10% increase noted in the target area. Seven of 13 patients had a decrease in target area lesions at week 12 and 3 of 10 patients at week 24. Questionnaire responses indicated 6 out of 10 patients would use the medication again.


CONCLUSIONS
Target area DSAP lesions in the majority of patients treated with diclofenac sodium 3% gel (both 12 and 24 weeks) progressed to a lesser extent as compared to the global lesion count.
Marks
S
S
Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
Varma
R
R
Cantrell
W
W
Chen
S C
SC
Gold
M
M
Muellenhoff
M
M
Elewski
B
B
D000328:Adult; D004008:Diclofenac / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D055623:Keratosis, Actinic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017499:Porokeratosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D005782:Gels; D004008:Diclofenac