title: Comparison of topical 3% diclofenac sodium gel and 5% imiquimod cream for the treatment of actinic keratoses.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is a wide spectrum of treatments available for actinic keratosis (AK). Topical diclofenac sodium and imiquimod are two topical treatments, which are noninvasive, easily applied, well-tolerated and effective.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the effects of topical 3% diclofenac sodium plus hyaluranon (DFS) gel, 5% imiquimod (IMQ) cream, and base cream (BC) in patients with AK.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 61 patients, diagnosed clinically and histopathologically as having AK, were randomized into three treatment groups to receive topical treatment with either DFS (twice daily for 12 weeks), IMQ (twice per week for 16 weeks) or BC (twice daily for 12 weeks). Patients were evaluated clinically at 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 weeks. Treatment efficacy was assessed by Total Thickness Score (TTS) and Patient Global Improvement Index (PGII).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Complete clearance rates for DFS, IMQ and BC at the end of the treatment and at the end of the total follow-up period were 19.1%, 20% and 0%, and 14.3%, 45% and 0%, respectively. Although the average TTS value of the DFS group at week 24 was significantly higher than that of the IMQ group, the PGII values were not significantly different.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although DFS and IMQ each had considerable efficacy in the treatment of AK, the efficacy of DFS seemed to decrease after cessation of treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Dokuz Eylul University Faculty of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey. sevgi.akarsu@deu.edu.tr
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akarsu
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aktan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Atahan
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Koç
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Özkan
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004008:Diclofenac / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D000077271:Imiquimod; D055623:Keratosis, Actinic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009824:Ointments; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000634:Aminoquinolines; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D005782:Gels; D009824:Ointments; D004008:Diclofenac; D000077271:Imiquimod