The efficacy of azithromycin in pityriasis rosea: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Macrolides are prescribed in the treatment of pityriasis rosea despite conflicting results of the limited number of studies evaluating their role in its treatment.


OBJECTIVE
A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of azithromycin on the clinical course of pityriasis rosea.


METHODS
Seventy patients of pityriasis rosea were given either azithromycin (n=35) or placebo (n=35) and were followed-up at 2, 4 and 6 weeks. Pruritus was assessed in both groups using the visual analogue scale (VAS) . Change in the pityriasis rosea severity score (PRSS) and in the VAS were recorded as outcome measures and were compared statistically.


RESULTS
The decrease in PRSS from baseline through 2, 4 and 6 weeks within both treatment (P<0.001) and placebo (P<0.001) arms was found to be statistically significant; however, this change was not significantly different in the two groups (P=0.179). Similarly, the decrease in VAS was found to be statistically significant within both groups (P<0.001); however, the change was comparable between the two groups (P<0.937). Analysis by Fisher's exact test did not find a significant difference between the two groups for PRSS and VAS.


CONCLUSIONS
Azithromycin is not effective in pityriasis rosea and the use of macrolides for this disease should not be encouraged in clinical practice.
Department of Dermatology and STD, University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India.
Deepika
D
Pandhi
Archana
A
Singal
Prashant
P
Verma
Reena
R
Sharma
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017963:Azithromycin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017515:Pityriasis Rosea / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011537:Pruritus / Q000209:etiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017963:Azithromycin