Cyclosporin A in the treatment of severe atopic dermatitis and palmoplantar pustulosis

Abstract

Background/Aims: Cyclosporin A is useful in the treatment of psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and other dermatoses. The aim of this long-term study was to investigate the usefulness of cyclosporin A in the treatment of severe and therapy-resistant atopic dermatitis and also in pahnoplantar pustulosis.

Methods: This study was performed in two series, one of 18 patients with severe atopic dermatitis, the other one of 36 patients with palmar or palmoplantar pustulosis. In both series the schedule of treatment consisted of four consecutive stages: in the first stage the patients received cyclosporin A 2.5 mg/kg per day for 3 months; in the second stage 2 mg/kg per day for 6 months; in the third stage 1.2 mg/kg per day also for 6 months; and in the fourth stage the doses were the same as in the third but on alternate days. The fifth stage was a follow-up period, 9 months for patients without recurrences until then and 3 months if there was any recurrence or if the patient had relapsed in an earlier stage.

Results: This regimen of treatment was effective in 91.6% of cases of palmoplantar pustulosis and in 73.7% of cases of severe atopic dermatitis. Side-effects, when present, were slight.

Conclusion: A low dose treatment regimen of CyA is both efficient and has very few side effects.

Key Words:

• Cyclosporin A
• Severe atopic dermatitis
• Palmoplantar pustulosis