title: Localized scleroderma and zinc: a pilot study.
abstract: Esthetic or functional repercussions in localized scleroderma may be considerable. Numerous treatments have been proposed with limited effectiveness. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of high-dose zinc gluconate in the treatment of morphea. We are reporting a retrospective study of 17 patients with histologically confirmed localized scleroderma active for more than one year and whose treatment with a high potency dermocorticosteroid was a failure. The patients received 60 to 90 mg of zinc metal daily. The clinical evaluation was performed by the physician and the patient. An efficacy of 53% was obtained (5 partial remissions and 4 complete remissions) with a mean dose of 83.3 mg/day of zinc metal. Two patients (11.8%) had epigastralgia; no discontinuation of zinc gluconate for poor tolerability was noted.We conclude that high-dose zinc gluconate can therefore be a valuable alternative treatment for localized scleroderma, with good tolerability, although placebo-controlled studies are necessary to confirm our results.
authors.affiliation: Unit of skin cancer, Nantes University Hospital, Place Alexis Ricordeau 44093 Cedex 01 Nantes, France.
authors.forename: Anabelle
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brocard
authors.forename: Gaelle
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Quereux
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Moyse
authors.forename: Brigitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dreno
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005942:Gluconates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012074:Remission Induction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012594:Scleroderma, Localized / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015032:Zinc / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D005942:Gluconates; D015032:Zinc; C030691:gluconic acid