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Pilot study of patient satisfaction with nonfluorinated topical steroids compared with a topical immunomodulator in
Craig N Burkhart1, Craig G Burkhart
1Department of Internal Medicine, Brown University Medical School, Providence, RI, USA.
Background:
There is clinical uncertainty concerning the effectiveness of the new topical immunomodulators vs. the conventional use of topical steroids for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.
Objectives:
To assess patient satisfaction with these two prescription topical remedies for atopic eczema.
Methods:
In an open-label, 2-week, comparative study, 10 patients demonstrating atopiform dermatitis were given tacrolimus and 0.1% hydrocortisone butyrate in a 70% oil-in-water base to apply to the eczema on opposite sides of the body. After 2 weeks of applying the agents twice daily to their respective sides of the body surface, the study subjects completed a 12-question survey to assess their opinions of the two products.
Results:
There was a preference for the nonfluorinated topical steroid over tacrolimus in this cursory head-to-head study. There were no withdrawals from the study or side-effects reported with either product.
Conclusions:
Trials of short duration with small numbers of patients do not adequately inform practitioners regarding the use of these topical remedies. However, the higher satisfaction of patients with 0.1% hydrocortisone butyrate in a 70% oil-in-water base over tacrolimus certainly warrants further investigation.