A double-blind trial of budesonide and betamethasone- 17,21-dipropionate in psoriasis

A double-blind trial was carried out to compare the effectiveness of budesonide, a non-halogenated steroid, and betamethasone-17,21-dipropionate in the treatment of psoriasis. One group of 40 hospitalized patients was treated with both preparations under occlusive dressings. The evaluation was done as a left-right comparison within each patient. These patients were treated for 1 week, with evaluations on Days 3 and 7. Another series of 79 out-patients was divided into two groups, either group being treated with one of the two preparations. These were treated for 2 weeks, with evaluations after 1 and 2 weeks. Itching, scaling, erythema and induration were recorded on a 5-point scale. A preference was stated for the best result. Statistically significant results favouring the budesonide ointment were obtained, both with and without occlusion.