Dithranol therapy in childhood psoriasis: unjustifiably on the verge of falling into oblivion.
BACKGROUND
In childhood psoriasis, physicians aim for an effective and safe treatment such as with dithranol. This study presents the largest study of dithranol-treated patients described in the literature.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to determine the position of dithranol in the treatment strategy for psoriasis.


METHODS
All juvenile patients receiving dithranol treatment at our center were evaluated retrospectively.


RESULTS
Sixty patients (with 82 treatment episodes in total) were included. The mean age at the start of dithranol treatment was 11.1 years (range: 3.7-17.9 years). The result of the treatment was: excellent (3.7%), good (69.5%), moderate (8.5%), reasonable (13.4%) or disappointing (4.9%). Mild irritation was seen in 39%, and severe irritation in 63% of the patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Dithranol can be regarded as an efficacious and safe topical therapy for the treatment of childhood psoriasis. It is a valuable alternative topical treatment which should not be disregarded in the treatment regimen for childhood psoriasis and should be commenced before ultraviolet or systemic treatments are initiated.
de Jager
M E A
ME
Department of Dermatology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. M.deJager@derma.umcn.nl
van de Kerkhof
P C M
PC
de Jong
E M G J
EM
Seyger
M M B
MM
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000875:Anthralin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D014807:Vitamin D; D000875:Anthralin