title: Calcipotriene plus betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension for the treatment of mild to moderate psoriasis vulgaris on the body: a randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A combination topical suspension/gel containing calcipotriene plus betamethasone dipropionate has been developed as a safe and effective treatment for patients with psoriasis vulgaris of the scalp. This same preparation has the potential to be a convenient, effective, and cosmetically appealing formulation for psoriasis on the body. This trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of a topical suspension containing calcipotriene plus betamethasone dipropionate compared with its constituent components and topical suspension vehicle in the treatment of mild to moderate psoriasis on the trunk and limbs.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled, 4-arm trial in 1,152 subjects. The co-primary efficacy end points were the proportion of subjects achieving controlled disease based on the Investigators' Global Assessment of disease severity at weeks 4 and 8. Adverse events, vital signs, and clinical laboratory measurements were also assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At week 4, a greater proportion of subjects in the calcipotriene plus betamethasone group achieved controlled disease compared with subjects in the calcipotriene-only and vehicle-only treatment groups. At week 8, a statistically significantly (P<.01) greater proportion of subjects in the calcipotriene plus betamethasone group achieved controlled disease compared with subjects in the 3 other treatment groups. Adverse events and other safety assessments were similar between the groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The topical suspension containing calcipotriene plus betamethasone dipropionate traditionally used for scalp psoriasis is also a safe and effective once-daily treatment for psoriasis vulgaris on the body.
authors: Dermatology Department, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA. amderm@gmail.com
authors: Alan
authors: A
authors: Menter
authors: Linda Stein
authors: LS
authors: Gold
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Bukhalo
authors: Steven
authors: S
authors: Grekin
authors: Steven
authors: S
authors: Kempers
authors: Brent M
authors: BM
authors: Boyce
authors: Cecilia
authors: C
authors: Ganslandt
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Villumsen
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Lebwohl
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D023381:Endpoint Determination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry; D013535:Suspensions
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D013535:Suspensions; C055085:calcipotriene; C011175:betamethasone-17,21-dipropionate; D001623:Betamethasone; D002117:Calcitriol