Abstract
Abstract
Purpose : To investigate the efficacy of topical active vitamin D3 and steroid combination therapy(topical drug combination)in Japanese patients with psoriasis vulgaris.
Methods : Efficacy of the topical combination treatment was explored by performing a subanalysis of a double-blind, 3-group, parallel comparative study in which patients with psoriasis vulgaris were randomized to the topical combination drug(applied once daily)group, calcipotriol(applied twice daily)group, or betamethasone dipropionate(applied once daily)group, and received treatment for 4 weeks. The time to onset of improving effect of the topically applied drug combination was examined using the physician's assessments and patients' self-assessments, and the possible factors affecting the therapeutic effect were investigated.
Results : Both physician's assessment(percent change in m-PASI, composite severity score for target disease, global assessment of disease severity)and patient's self-assessment(global assessment of disease severity)demonstrated the combination treatment to have a superior effect 1 week after initiation compared to that of topical calcipotriol or betamethasone dipropionate. Furthermore, a similar effect was observed after 4 weeks. The effect of the topical combination therapy slightly decreased in obese patients(BMI ” 30) ; however, this decrease was lower than that observed for topical betamethasone dipropionate. The other investigated factors did not have any effect on the efficacy of the topical combination therapy.
Conclusion : Once-daily application of the topical drug combination promptly improved the skin symptoms in patients with psoriasis vulgaris 1 week after initiation of treatment regardless of the patient factors.
