Clinical efficacy of flumetasone/salicylic acid ointment combined with 308-nm excimer laser for treatment of psoriasis vulgaris.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of combining flumetasone ointment with 308-nm excimer laser therapy vs. 308-nm excimer laser monotherapy for the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris.

METHOD:

Forty patients with psoriasis vulgaris were recruited; 20 were treated with flumetasone ointment plus 308-nm excimer laser therapy, and the other 20 received only excimer laser monotherapy. The flumetasone ointment was applied topically twice a day, and laser treatments were scheduled twice weekly for a total of 10 treatments. Clinical efficacy was evaluated in a blinded manner by two independent physicians using photographs taken before and after treatment.

RESULTS:

Of the 40 patients who received and completed the entire course of therapy, the psoriasis area and severity index score was improved by 82.51 ± 11.24% and 72.01 ± 20.94% in the combination group and laser group, respectively (P > 0.05), and the average cumulative dose was 5.06 ± 2.20 j/cm(2) in the combination group and 7.75 ± 2.25 j/cm(2) in the laser-only group, respectively (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION:

The clinical data suggest that combination treatment using flumetasone ointment and a 308-nm excimer laser is superior to laser monotherapy for treatment of psoriasis vulgaris. The combination therapy can increase effectiveness and decrease the total laser dose, thus potentially reducing side effects.

• Authors: Jie Dong, Yanling He, Xiuying Zhang, Yixuan Wang, Yongjing Tian, Jie Wang
• Journal: Photodermatology, photoimmunology & photomedicine (Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed) Vol. 28 Issue 3 Pg. 133-6 (Jun 2012) ISSN: 1600-0781 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 22548394 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
• Copyright: © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Keratolytic Agents
• Ointments
• Flumethasone
• Salicylic Acid

Topics

• Administration, Topical
• Adult
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (administration & dosage)
• Female
• Flumethasone (administration & dosage)
• Humans
• Keratolytic Agents (administration & dosage)
• Laser Therapy (methods)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Ointments
• Psoriasis (therapy)
• Salicylic Acid (administration & dosage)
• Time Factors