An Open-label, Observational Study Evaluating Desoximetasone Topical Spray 0.25% in Patients with Scalp Psoriasis

Objective: The goal of this study was to evaluate efficacy and safety of desoximetasone spray 0.25%, a topical corticosteroid, in the management of scalp and body psoriasis. Design: This was an open-label, observational study. Participants: Twenty adults aged 18 years or older with chronic scalp psoriasis present on at least 30 percent of the scalp surface area and an Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) scale score of scalp disease of at least 2 on a scale of 0 to 4 were included in the study. Measurements: Study spray was applied twice daily for four weeks, followed by 12 weeks of twice-daily application for two consecutive days weekly. Results: At Week 4, the mean Physician Global Assessment (PGA) scale score had decreased 54.8 percent, from moderate disease to almost clear. Body surface area (BSA) had decreased by 51.2 percent, BSA × PGA had decreased by 63 percent, and scalp IGA had decreased by 64.5 percent from moderate to almost clear. Additionally, mean Psoriasis Scalp Severity Index (PSSI) score was 27.3±10.0 at baseline and decreased 82.4 percent to 4.8±5.2 and scalp surface area (SSA) was reduced by 70.7 percent at Week 4. The initial Scalp Index score was a mean of 65.7±15.0 at baseline and was reduced by 44.3 percent and 40.8 percent at Weeks 4 and 16, respectively. The initial response was maintained after a change to twice-weekly, twice-daily dosing, with a 48.4-percent decrease in PGA, a 17.1-percent decrease in BSA, a 31.5-percent decrease in BSA × PGA, a 51.6-percent decrease in scalp IGA, a 63.4 percent decrease in PSSI, and a 42.3-percent decrease in SSA seen at Week 16. Minimal adverse events were experienced by seven subjects. Conclusion: Desoximetasone spray 0.25% produced rapid improvements in PGA, BSA, BSA×PGA, scalp IGA, PSSI, SSA.