A Comparison of Topical Corticosteroids and Topical Calcineurin Inhibitors for the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis.

Abstract

Topical corticosteroids (TCS) are a mainstay of treatment for atopic dermatitis (AD). There are shared physician and patient concerns that TCS use can result in skin atrophy and systemic absorption. The clinical use of topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCI) for AD is relatively limited despite evidence that TCI are safe and effective. Understanding the differences in efficacy and adverse effects between TCS and TCI can help shape prescription practices to the benefit of patients. The objective of this review is to characterize the difference in efficacy and adverse effects between TCS and TCI. A review of the literature between 2002 and 2022 was performed using the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases. Ten studies comparing TCS of varying potencies with TCI approved for AD treatment were included in the review. Outcome measures were qualified using percent reductions on the modified Eczema Area and Severity Index score and decreases in physician's global evaluation of AD severity. Tacrolimus had statistically significant (P < .05) improvement in disease severity compared with TCS in 4 of the 5 studies that compared tacrolimus with weak TCS. The data suggest greater treatment efficacy of tacrolimus over weak TCS, and inferior efficacy of pimecrolimus (TCI) compared with both tacrolimus and weak TCS. It is difficult to draw conclusions between moderate, potent, and very potent TCS and TCI due to the small number of available studies. TCI can improve disease severity, especially on thin or intertriginous skin regions most vulnerable to adverse events with TCS treatment, and their use may help overcome adherence issues due to patient bias against TCS.

• Authors: Joseph Pena, Priscila Arellano Zameza, Jessica N Pixley, Anita Remitz, Steven R Feldman
• Journal: The journal of allergy and clinical immunology. In practice (J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract) Vol. 11 Issue 5 Pg. 1347-1359 (05 2023) ISSN: 2213-2201 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 36997119 (Publication Type: Review, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2023 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Calcineurin Inhibitors
• Tacrolimus
• Dermatologic Agents
• Glucocorticoids

Topics

• Humans
• Calcineurin Inhibitors (therapeutic use)
• Tacrolimus (therapeutic use)
• Dermatitis, Atopic (drug therapy)
• Dermatologic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Glucocorticoids (therapeutic use)
• Treatment Outcome