Long-term treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis with calcipotriol

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Abstract
The aim of this multi-centre study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of calcipotriol ointment (Dovonex) in the long-term treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis. Of 203 patients recruited into the study 144 were followed up for 48 + 2 weeks. Eight patients withdrew due to side-effects and six due to deterioration of psoriasis. During the first 6 weeks the median amount of ointment used was 16.5 g/week with 93% of patients applying ointment on all or most days. At 48 weeks, the median dose had fallen to 11.6 g/week, with only 65% of patients applying ointment on all or most days. Overall severity was significantly improved by the end of treatment (P = 0.001) with the number of patients with moderate or severe psoriasis falling from 92% at baseline to 31% after 6 weeks and to 22% at the end of treatment. Improvements in redness, thickness, scaliness and area of psoriasis reflected this. Side-effects included irritation (20.2%) and facial irritation (4.9%). The frequency of adverse events did not increase with duration of treatment. Mean serum calcium remained unchanged and all values were within the normal reference range throughout the study. It was concluded that calcipotriol can be used effectively in primary care for the long-term management of chronic plaque psoriasis without increasing side-effects.

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