Comparison of different regimens of pimecrolimus 1% cream in the treatment of facial seborrheic dermatitis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Pimecrolimus 1% cream has already been proved to be an effective and safe alternative to treat seborrheic dermatitis. However, the treatment periods were inconstant in previous studies.

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the comparative efficacy of pimecrolimus 1% cream with different regimens for the treatment of facial seborrheic dermatitis.

METHOD:

Thirty patients with facial seborrheic dermatitis were enrolled and randomly distributed to three groups. Patients of Group 1 were treated with topical pimecrolimus cream 1% twice daily for 2 weeks and then a moisturizer cream twice daily for 2 weeks. Patients of Group 2 were treated with pimecrolimus cream 1% twice daily for 2 weeks and then once daily for another 2 weeks. Patients of Group 3 had a consecutive course of pimecrolimus cream 1% twice daily for 4 weeks. Objective symptoms, subjective symptoms, and dermatology life quality index (DLQI) were measured at weeks 0, 2, 4, and 6.

RESULTS:

At week 4, the clinical severity scores of all three regimens significantly decreased (P<.01). The improvement of total severity score in Group 3 was more remarkable than groups 1 and 2 (both P<.05). This effect was maintained until the end of the study in Group 3. Life quality of all three groups was significantly improved at week 4 (P<.001), while there was no statistical difference on the improvement of life quality among three groups.

CONCLUSION:

We recommend pimecrolimus 1% cream could be applied twice a day for 4 weeks to treat seborrheic dermatitis.

• Authors: Juemin Zhao, Wenjia Sun, Chengfeng Zhang, Jiaqiang Wu, Yan Le, Chunyun Huang, Ye Liu, Leihong Xiang
• Journal: Journal of cosmetic dermatology (J Cosmet Dermatol) Vol. 17 Issue 1 Pg. 90-94 (Feb 2018) ISSN: 1473-2165 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 28589618 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
• Copyright: © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Chemical References

• Dermatologic Agents
• pimecrolimus
• Tacrolimus

Topics

• Administration, Topical
• Adult
• Ambulatory Care (methods)
• Dermatitis, Seborrheic (diagnosis, drug therapy, psychology)
• Dermatologic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Quality of Life
• Risk Assessment
• Severity of Illness Index
• Skin Cream
• Tacrolimus (analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• Treatment Outcome