Evaluation of the antipruritic effects of topical pimecrolimus in non-atopic prurigo nodularis: results of a randomized, hydrocortisone-controlled, double-blind phase II trial.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

In the treatment of atopic dermatitis, pimecrolimus has high antipruritic effects.

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the efficacy of 1% pimecrolimus cream in comparison to 1% hydrocortisone cream in non-atopic prurigo nodularis (PN).

METHODS:

A randomized, controlled, double-blind study with intraindividual randomization was done in 30 patients (17 females, 13 males; mean age 58.5 years) with PN.

RESULTS:

Pruritus intensity decreased significantly (p < 0.001) on both treated sides as early as after 10 days of treatment; scratch lesions improved (p < 0.001). Quality of life as assessed by the Dermatology Life Quality Index improved significantly. However, a significant advantage of pimecrolimus over hydrocortisone was not found.

CONCLUSION:

The results suggest that the non-steroid pimecrolimus is an effective alternative for PN treatment.

• Authors: Dorothee Siepmann, Tobias Lotts, Christine Blome, Matthias Braeutigam, Ngoc Quan Phan, Trude Butterfass-Bahloul, Matthias Augustin, Thomas A Luger, Sonja Ständer
• Journal: Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland) (Dermatology) Vol. 227 Issue 4 Pg. 353-60 ( 2013) ISSN: 1421-9832 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 24281309 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Phase II, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Biomarkers
• Dermatologic Agents
• Neuropeptides
• pimecrolimus
• Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide
• Hydrocortisone
• Tacrolimus

Topics

• Administration, Cutaneous
• Adult
• Aged
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (therapeutic use)
• Biomarkers (metabolism)
• Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (metabolism)
• Dermatologic Agents (administration & dosage)
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Hydrocortisone (therapeutic use)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neuropeptides (metabolism)
• Prurigo (complications, drug therapy, metabolism)
• Pruritus (drug therapy, etiology, metabolism)
• Quality of Life
• Tacrolimus (administration & dosage, analogs & derivatives)