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Short‐ and medium‐term efficacy of specific hydrotherapy in inherited ichthyosis
Author(s) -
Bodemer C.,
Bourrat E.,
MazereeuwHautier J.,
Boralevi F.,
Barbarot S.,
Bessis D.,
BlanchetBardon C.,
BourdonLanoy E.,
Stalder J.F.,
Ribet V.,
Guerrero D.,
Sibaud V.
Publication year - 2011
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.1365-2133.2011.10510.x
Subject(s) - hydrotherapy , medicine , term (time) , ichthyosis , dermatology , pediatrics , pathology , alternative medicine , physics , quantum mechanics
Summary Background Management of inherited ichthyoses is symptomatic. Despite treatment, skin symptoms have a major impact on patients’ quality of life (QoL). Objectives To assess the short‐ and medium‐term efficacy of hydrotherapy on QoL and clinical symptoms of patients with inherited ichthyosis. Methods In this 9‐month prospective, open‐label, multicentre study, 20 children and 24 adults with ichthyosis were enrolled in several French reference and competence centres, 2 months before undergoing a 3‐week treatment with specific hydrotherapeutic management at Avène Hydrotherapy Centre. At baseline (2 months before hydrotherapy), beginning (D0) and end of hydrotherapy (D18), and 3 and 6 months later at the reference and competence centres, patients self‐assessed QoL using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) or its paediatric version (Children’s DLQI), and investigators evaluated ichthyosis severity using a specific clinical ichthyosis score. Results The DLQI scores were significantly improved not only at the end of the hydrotherapy treatment (−56% vs. baseline; mean ± SD 3·59 ± 4·30 at D18 vs. 8·35 ± 5·71 at D0; P < 0·0001), but also at 3 months (−28% vs. baseline; P = 0·01) and 6 months after hydrotherapy (−26% vs. baseline; mean ± SD 5·21 ± 5·11 vs. 6·89 ± 5·38; P = 0·03) (primary criterion). Clinical symptoms were also significantly improved at all post‐treatment visits, with a decrease of the mean clinical ichthyosis score by −38% between D0 and D18, by −30% at 3 months and by −31% at 6 months vs. baseline. Conclusions A 3‐week treatment at Avène Hydrotherapy Centre provided significant and persisting improvement of QoL and clinical symptoms in patients with inherited ichthyoses.