Abstract
We examined the effectiveness of co-therapy with oral cetirizine and topical ointment. Changes in disease severity, itchiness, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were assessed using the atopic dermatitis (AD) severity score, a visual analog scale (VAS), and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI)-base examination, respectively. Nineteen patients with AD treated topically were enrolled (seven male and 12 female patients, average 28.4 ± 13.6 years old). Oral cetirizine hydrochloride 10 mg/day was administered for 4 weeks in addition to topical treatment. Disease severity, itchiness, and HRQoL were evaluated before and 2 and 4 weeks after the start of cetirizine administration. The rate of improvement was slight, with more than 50% improved after 2 weeks treatment and 80% after 4 weeks treatment. Mean VAS scores on itchiness and DLQI-base examination also showed effective improvement by degrees. These results suggest that the combination of cetirizine hydrochloride with topical therapy improves HRQoL in AD patients through improvement of disease activity and symptoms.
