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Abstract
Numerous preparations that are available for the treatment of psoriasis of the scalp contain high potency steroids, such as betamethasone dipropionate lotion or clobetasol propionate solution. Of special interest is a currently marketed oil preparation that contains the steroid fluocinolone acetonide (0.01%), classified as low potency (Class 6) steroid. Because the combination of emollients in the vehicle base are present to aid in softening the stratum corneum and allow penetration of the steroid component into the lower skin layer, it was thought this preparation would be an efficient treatment for psoriasis of the scalp. This study was designed to demonstrate the efficacy, tolerance and safety of fluocinolone acetonide 0.01% in oil, compared to its vehicle, for the treatment of scalp psoriasis. This was a randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled multi-center study in patients with moderate to severe scalp psoriasis. At the completion of the treatment period (21 days) all signs of psoriasis had improved in both treatment groups, the improvements in the FA group being significantly greater compared to those in the vehicle-treated group. The results of the physician global assessments of improvement in the signs of psoriasis from baseline confirmed the findings. Significantly more patients in the FA group had a good or better improvement from baseline compared to the number in the vehicle-treated group. The results of this study conclusively show that FA in an oil base that aids in the softening of the skin and allows penetration of the steroid into the stratum corneum, is an effective treatment for psoriasis of the scalp. This study also showed that the vehicle alone causes an improvement in the signs of psoriasis, but that the addition of 0.1% of the low potency steroid, fluocinolone acetonide, leads to a significantly better improvement.