title: Halometasone monohydrate (0.05%) in occupational contact dermatitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The impact of occupational contact dermatitis (OCD) is often underestimated because of underreporting, and its management is also inadequate, especially in developing countries. Topical corticosteroids have remained the first line treatment but till date, there is no study on efficacy and safety of halometasone in OCD, and there is a paucity of data on its comparative efficacy in allergic and irritant variety. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of halometasone in OCD and to compare its effect in allergic and irritant types of OCD.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present study is a prospective, interventional, single arm clinical study conducted on 150 patients of OCD. Detailed history and clinical examination was done at baseline, and all enrolled patients underwent patch test with the Indian Standard Battery of allergens. Eczema severity was assessed by the Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) scale, SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index, and patient-oriented eczema measure (POEM). Change in quality of life was assessed by using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). After baseline assessments, they were prescribed halometasone 0.05% ointment and were followed up after 4 weeks, and efficacy variables were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At follow-up, 19 patients were lost, and data of 131 patients were analyzed. After 4 weeks of halometasone therapy, there was statistically significant (P < 0.001) improvement in SCORAD index, IGA, POEM, and DLQI. Considering improvement in IGA as treatment success criteria, treatment was found to be successful in 87.8%. Subgroup analysis revealed no significant difference in effect of halometasone in allergic and irritant OCD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Halometasone is efficacious with a good safety profile in patients with OCD, and there is no significant difference in efficacy of the drug in allergic and irritant OCD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
authors.forename: Rituparna
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Maiti
authors.affiliation: Dermatology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
authors.forename: Chandra Sekhar
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Sirka
authors.affiliation: Student, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
authors.forename: Noel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shaju
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
authors.forename: Debasish
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hota
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D001623:Betamethasone; C036518:halometasone
keywords: Assessment scale; Dermatology Life Quality Index; Investigator's Global; SCORing atopic dermatitis; halometasone; occupational contact dermatitis; patient-oriented eczema measure