Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is a non-scarring hair loss. Objective: We aimed the comparison of clobetasol propionate and pimecrolimus efficiency and tolerability in the treatment of AA. Methods: The study included a total of 100 consecutive patients with AA. Patients were randomized into four groups. 30 patients used 1% pimecrolimus cream, 30 patients used 0.05% clobetasol propionate cream, 20 patients used petrolatum as placebo. Scalp of 20 patients was divided into two equal areas and one area was treated with 1% pimecrolimus cream and the other area with 0.05% clobetasol propionate cream. Results: At week 12 of treatment, the recovery rate of the pimecrolimus group was 53.73 ± 44.49 and the recovery score was 3.63 ± 2.07; that of the clobetasol propionate group was 47.00 ± 44.80 and the recovery score was 3.33 ± 2.20; that of the placebo group was 35.50 ± 40.53 and the recovery score was 2.75 ± 1.88. There was no statistically significant difference among the groups in terms of the percentage of recovery and the recovery score (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, we detected that topical pimecrolimus treatment is as effective as topical corticosteroids and is superior to topical corticosteroids in terms of side effects in the treatment of AA.
31 May 2013 in Journal of Dermatological Treatment
Background: Pruritus ani (PA) is defined as intense chronic itching affecting perianal skin. Objective: We aimed to determine the efficacy of topical tacrolimus treatment in atopic dermatitis (AD) patients who have PA. Methods: The study included 32 patients with AD who were suffering PA. Patients were randomized into two groups. In total, 16 patients used 0.03% tacrolimus ointment and 16 patients used vaseline as placebo. All groups applied topical treatments to their perianal area twice daily for 4 weeks. The treatments were then reversed for 4 weeks after a 2 weeks wash out period. Results: In total, 32 patients with AD who had refractory anal itching were enrolled in this study. None of the patients had obtained successful results with previous treatments. There was a statistically significant decrease in the recorded EASI, DLQI and itching scores for the tacrolimus group compared to the placebo group at weeks 4 and 6 of treatment (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Topical tacrolimus treatment was well tolerated and effective in controlling persistent PA in AD patients.
20 June 2012 in Clinical and Experimental Dermatology
Background. Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory disease that is associated with significant psychosocial morbidity and a decrease in health-related quality of life. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder may be present in atopic dermatitis patients. Objective. The present study aims to investigate the co-presence of ADHD in adult patients with AD. Material and method. The study registered 60 adult patients with AD (48 females and 12 males) and 50 non-atopic control subjects (38 females and 12 males). The AD patient group and the control group were assessed using the Turgay adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD) DSM-IV-Based Diagnostic Screening and Rating Scale (Turkish Version), which was studied by a team of psychologists and psychiatrists in Turkey for validity, reliability and norms. The scale covers three dimensions of the disease, namely inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity, and associated features of ADHD. The groups were compared and contrasted in terms of their similarities and differences in ADD/ADHD symptoms. Results. Three sub-dimensions of ADD/ADHD scale (Attention Deficit, Hyperactivity/ Impulsivity and Problem subdivisions) in AD patients were found statistically significantly elevated relative to controls (P<0.001, P<0.001, P<0.001, respectively). Conclusions. In conclusion we established the co-presence of ADHD in AD patients in the adult age group.