title: The efficacy of three class I topical synthetic corticosteroids, fluocinonide 0.1% cream, clobetasol 0.05% cream and halobetasol 0.05% cream: a Scholtz-Dumas bioassay comparison.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study compared the efficacy of a novel, topical class I synthetic, 0.10% fluocinonide corticosteroid with two other class I corticosteroids and placebo for the treatment of plaque psoriasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 0.5 gram dose of fluocinonide 0.1% cream, clobetasol propionate 0.05% cream, halobetasol propionate 0.05% cream, and placebo ointment were applied to test sites on one psoriatic plaque per patient (n=5). Test sites were outlined according to the Scholtz-Dumas bioassay. Test sites were assessed by a blinded evaluator (1 = psoriasis worsened to 5 = psoriasis clear or almost clear), cleaned and medications were reapplied on days 3, 5, 7, 10 and 12.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The three class I corticosteroid products were comparably effective, numerically and statistically, in clearing the psoriatic plaques. Upon completion of treatment, 60-80% of active-treated sites were clear or almost clear of psoriasis compared to zero with the placebo.
authors: Sacramento VA Medical Center, Mather, CA, USA.
authors: Chai Sue
authors: CS
authors: Lee
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Koo
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001681:Biological Assay / Q000379:methods; D002990:Clobetasol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005447:Fluocinonide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D005447:Fluocinonide; C064466:halobetasol; D002990:Clobetasol