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Pimecrolimus 1% cream for the treatment of steroid‐induced rosacea: an 8‐week split‐face clinical trial
Author(s) -
Lee D.H.,
Li K.,
Suh D.H.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2008.08496.x
Subject(s) - pimecrolimus , rosacea , dermatology , erythema , medicine , topical steroid , side effect (computer science) , randomized controlled trial , imiquimod , surgery , tacrolimus , acne , computer science , transplantation , programming language
Summary Background Steroid‐induced rosacea is a relatively common dermatosis that is caused by the prolonged application of topical steroid to the face. Objectives The purpose of this investigator‐blind, split‐face study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pimecrolimus 1% cream for the treatment of steroid‐induced rosacea. Patients/methods Patients were instructed to apply pimecrolimus 1% cream twice daily to the involved areas of a randomly allocated half side for the first 2 weeks, and to follow this by applying pimecrolimus 1% cream to both sides for a further 6 weeks. Results Fifteen of the 18 patients completed the 8‐week study. After 1 week of application, a statistically significant improvement was observed for investigator’s global assessments of erythema and papules on prior‐treated sides (P‐side). Later‐treated sides (L‐side) showed subsequent improvement after use of pimecrolimus on the L‐side. Likewise, a statistically significant improvement was also observed for numbers of papules/pustules on P‐sides after 1 week, and L‐sides showed a significant improvement after application of pimecrolimus on the L‐side. Comparative reflectance colorimetric assessments revealed that ΔL*, Δa* and Δb* tended to converge to zero during the first 4 weeks. A statistically significant improvement was observed for percentage area affected on P‐sides after 1 week of application. The L‐side showed a significant improvement after use of pimecrolimus cream on that side. The visual analogue scale of P‐sides decreased more rapidly than those of L‐sides. Cutaneous side‐effects were mild and transient. Conclusions This study suggests that pimecrolimus 1% cream is an effective and well‐tolerated treatment for steroid‐induced rosacea.