title: The effect of topically applied corticosteroids on interleukin 1β levels in patients with atopic dermatitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic recurrent disease of childhood. The therapeutics of AD needs to be more tailored given the new cytokine antibodies available. In this scenario we considered interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) levels before and after therapy with topical corticosteroids.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To measure the IL-1β levels before and after treatment in patients with AD after 75% improvement in scoring for atopic dermatitis index.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-five subjects with AD were treated with betamethasone ointment and their IL-1β level was measured prior to and following treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The IL-1β levels were raised during disease activity and following improvement they decreased in a statistically significant manner. Also the IL-1β levels corresponded with the severity of disease activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Newer modalities of therapy in the form of cytokine monoclonal antibodies should be studied in a larger scale in AD.
authors.affiliation: Ex Department of Dermatology Venerology and Leprology, Post Graduate institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Chandigarh, India. docnutan66@gmail.com
authors.forename: F N U
authors.initials: FN
authors.lastname: Nutan
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Kanwar
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Parsad
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D053583:Interleukin-1beta