title: Regression of cutaneous xerosis with emollient treatment in sub-Saharan African patients.
abstract: Emollients have proven effective in improving cutaneous xerosis in various populations; however, no clinical data are available for African patients. The observational study "Xerafrica" was conducted by dermatologists in seven sub-Saharan countries to assess the evolution of xerosis after an 8-week treatment with an emollient. Patients were children above 3 years or adults. Secondary objectives were to assess pruritus, improvement in symptoms, quality of life, satisfaction, and tolerance. An analysis of 185 patients was made. After 8 weeks of emollient treatment, the relative reduction of the "Scaling Roughness Redness Cracks" (SRRC) score was -83.9% and -80.4% in children and adults, respectively. The effect was significantly stronger when topical steroids were co-prescribed with the emollient and in patients with co-dermatosis. To a lesser extent, the effect of emollient was also observed at week 4. Similarly, pruritus and quality of life strongly improved during follow-up. Skin lesions improved in almost all patients, with a high level of satisfaction noted by both dermatologists and patients. The "Xerafrica" study addressed, for the first time, the treatment of xerosis by emollients in an African population. In this specific context, the emollient markedly reduced xerosis as soon as 4 weeks and resolved it almost totally by 8 weeks. The study confirms, under real-life conditions, the efficacy and tolerability of an emollient in improving xerosis.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Dermatology Unit, Pellegrin University Hospital, Bordeaux, France.
authors.forename: Franck
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0477-5909
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Boralevi
authors.affiliation: Douala General Hospital, Douala, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Alain-Patrice
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Meledie N'Djong
authors.affiliation: Treichville University Hospital, Boulevard de Marseille, Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
authors.forename: Pauline
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yao Yoboue
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Unit, Marchoux Institute, Bamako, Mali.
authors.forename: Ousmane
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Faye
authors.affiliation: Le Dantec University Hospital, Dakar, Senegal.
authors.forename: Mame Thierno
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Dieng
authors.affiliation: Libreville University Hospital, Libreville, Gabon.
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Coniquet
authors.affiliation: Hubert Koutoukou Maga National University Hospital, Cotonou, Benin.
authors.forename: Félix
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Atadokpede
authors.affiliation: Yalgado Ouédraogo University Hospital, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
authors.forename: Pascal Antoine
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Niamba
authors.affiliation: Pierre Fabre Dermatologie, Les Cauquillous, Lavaur, France.
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Delarue
authors.affiliation: Pierre Fabre Pharmaceuticals, 8 Campus Drive, Parsippany, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cazeau
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D017954:Africa South of the Sahara; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004643:Emollients / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011537:Pruritus / Q000209:etiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013256:Steroids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D063189:Symptom Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004643:Emollients; D013256:Steroids