title: The comparison of treatment with clobetasol propionate 0.05% and topical pimecrolimus 1% treatment in the treatment of alopecia areata.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Alopecia areata (AA) is a non-scarring hair loss.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We aimed the comparison of clobetasol propionate and pimecrolimus efficiency and tolerability in the treatment of AA.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included a total of 100 consecutive patients with AA. Patients were randomized into four groups. 30 patients used 1% pimecrolimus cream, 30 patients used 0.05% clobetasol propionate cream, 20 patients used petrolatum as placebo. Scalp of 20 patients was divided into two equal areas and one area was treated with 1% pimecrolimus cream and the other area with 0.05% clobetasol propionate cream.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At week 12 of treatment, the recovery rate of the pimecrolimus group was 53.73 ± 44.49 and the recovery score was 3.63 ± 2.07; that of the clobetasol propionate group was 47.00 ± 44.80 and the recovery score was 3.33 ± 2.20; that of the placebo group was 35.50 ± 40.53 and the recovery score was 2.75 ± 1.88. There was no statistically significant difference among the groups in terms of the percentage of recovery and the recovery score (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, we detected that topical pimecrolimus treatment is as effective as topical corticosteroids and is superior to topical corticosteroids in terms of side effects in the treatment of AA.
authors.affiliation: Elazig Education and Research Hospital, Department of Dermatology, Elazig, Turkey. drucak23@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Haydar
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ucak
authors.forename: Basak
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kandi
authors.forename: Demet
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cicek
authors.forename: Nurhan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Halisdemir
authors.forename: Selma Bakar
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Dertlıoğlu
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002990:Clobetasol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010577:Petrolatum / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; C117268:pimecrolimus; D010577:Petrolatum; D002990:Clobetasol; D016559:Tacrolimus