Comparison of a treatment phase and a follow-up phase of short-contact dithranol and calcipotriol in outpatients with chronic plaque psoriasis

Abstract

Objective/Methods: The efficacy, adverse events and acceptability of microencapsulated dithranol (Micanol®), short-contact, and calcipotriol ointment, twice daily, were compared in a multicentre study in 171 outpatients with chronic, plaque-type psoriasis. An active treatment phase and a follow-up phase without active treatment were included.

Results: The efficacy of calcipotriol ointment was significantly better than dithranol cream in the treatment phase. During the follow-up phase, a significantly greater proportion of patients obtaining ≤ 50% improvement from initial treatment with dithranol cream stayed in remission compared with calcipotriol ointment.

Conclusion: Adverse events were limited and minor, and the acceptability of both treatments was good; dithranol cream, like calcipotriol ointment, can be used by patients at home.

Key Words:

• Calcipotriol
• Clinical trial
• Dithranol
• Plaque psoriasis
• Relapse rate