title: A randomized, double-blinded trial evaluating the efficacy and tolerability of vectical ointment (calcitriol 3 mcg/g ointment) when compared to betamethasone diproprionate ointment (64 mg/g) in patients with nail psoriasis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To demonstrate the efficacy and safety of calcitriol ointment (3 mcg/g) compared to betamethasone diproprionate ointment in the treatment of nail psoriasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single-center, double-blind study.
  
  
  METHODS
  One academic center.
  
  
  METHODS
  10 adult male and female subjects with psoriasis of the fingernails and/or toenails.
  
  
  METHODS
  The primary efficacy evaluation was the absolute reduction of nail thickness (mm) of the target nail. A secondary endpoint was the improvement in the Physician Global Assessment score of disease severity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients treated with either betamethasone diproprionate ointment or calcitriol ointment demonstrated a similar reduction of nail thickness of the selected target nail. The difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (P=0.42).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This small study illustrates that calcitriol ointment may be as effective as betamethasone diproprionate in the treatment of nail psoriasis, and its promise should be further investigated in a subsequent larger trial.
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kole
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Cantrell
authors.forename: Boni
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Elewski
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009260:Nail Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D009824:Ointments; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D009824:Ointments; C011175:betamethasone-17,21-dipropionate; D001623:Betamethasone; D002117:Calcitriol