Pulsed high-dose corticosteroids combined with low-dose methotrexate treatment in patients with refractory generalized extragenital lichen sclerosus.
BACKGROUND
Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a rare, chronic inflammatory skin disease that predominantly affects the anogenital area. A few patients exhibit widespread extragenital disease that may lead to blister formation and superficial erosions. We evaluated the efficacy of pulsed high-dose corticosteroids combined with low-dose methotrexate treatment in patients with refractory generalized LS that had failed to respond to standard topical corticosteroid therapy. Observation Seven patients were included in this retrospective study, all of whom were treated with pulsed high-dose corticosteroids combined with low-dose methotrexate for at least 6 months. The outcome measure was an individual, nonvalidated clinical score. Overall, a significant decrease in the clinical score was observed, from a median score of 8 (range, 5 to 24) before treatment to 2 (range, 1 to 4) after treatment. Adverse effects observed during therapy were moderate and disappeared after the end of treatment. During the follow-up period of at least 3 months (mean, 4.7 [range, 3-8] months), none of the patients experienced a relapse of extragenital LS.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with severe extragenital LS benefit from pulsed high-dose corticosteroids combined with low-dose methotrexate therapy. This combination therapy should be considered in generalized disease, especially disease that is refractory to conventional treatment.
Kreuter
Alexander
A
Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Gudrunstrasse 56, D-44791 Bochum, Germany. a.kreuter@derma.de
Tigges
Christian
C
Gaifullina
Renata
R
Kirschke
Julia
J
Altmeyer
Peter
P
Gambichler
Thilo
T
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D018459:Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D011336:Probability; D020551:Pulse Therapy, Drug; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D008727:Methotrexate