Effective treatment of chronic hand dermatitis with 36 continuous months of alitretinoin administration: report of three cases.
BACKGROUND
Moderate to severe chronic hand dermatitis (CHD) is not well controlled by current medical strategies; however, recent studies have shown significant improvement in patients treated with up to 6 months of oral alitretinoin (9-cis-retinoic acid). The results of longer-term continuous treatment are lacking.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of alitretinoin for the treatment of CHD.


METHODS
The Physician's Global Assessment (PGA) and Modified Total Lesion Symptom Score (MTLSS) were used to assess CHD improvement in three patients treated with alitretinoin (10-30 mg/d). Patients had routine bloodwork and were monitored for adverse events.


RESULTS
Significant improvement in MTLSS scores (≈ 76%) was seen at 2 months (p < .002) and maintained for the 3-year treatment period with occasional dosage adjustments. No significant adverse events developed that necessitated treatment withdrawal.


CONCLUSIONS
Alitretinoin was well tolerated in the treatment of these three CHD patients who were carefully monitored over this prolonged treatment period.
Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Newlab Scinces Incorporated, St. John's NL. wgulliver@newlabresearch.com
Wayne P
WP
Gulliver
Kenneth A
KA
Baker
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000077556:Alitretinoin; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000077556:Alitretinoin; D014212:Tretinoin