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Topical calcipotriol in childhood psoriasis
A P Oranje1, D Marcoux, A Svensson
1Department of Dermato-Venereology (Pediatric Dermatology Unit), University Hospital Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Insights
Topical calcipotriol showed significant improvement in psoriasis symptoms in children, with no serious side effects observed. While not statistically significant on the PASI score, it improved overall assessment and reduced redness and scaliness compared to placebo.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Pediatric Dermatology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Topical calcipotriol is a recognized safe and effective treatment for adult psoriasis.
- Pediatric psoriasis treatment options require further investigation for efficacy and safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of calcipotriol ointment in pediatric patients with psoriasis.
- To compare calcipotriol ointment against a placebo in children aged 2-14 years.
Main Methods:
- A multicenter, prospective, 8-week, double-blind, parallel-group study involving 77 children.
- Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) was used to assess treatment response, evaluating redness, thickness, scaliness, and body surface area involvement.
- Participants had stable psoriasis involving less than 30% of their body surface area.
Main Results:
- Both calcipotriol and placebo groups demonstrated significant improvement in PASI scores from baseline.
- No statistically significant difference in PASI score improvement was observed between the calcipotriol and placebo groups.
- No serious adverse events, particularly concerning calcium and bone metabolism, were reported in either group.
Conclusions:
- Calcipotriol ointment demonstrated statistically significant superiority over its vehicle in overall investigator assessment and reduction of redness and scaliness.
- The study did not find a statistically significant difference in PASI score reduction between calcipotriol and placebo.
- Calcipotriol ointment appears to be a safe treatment option for pediatric psoriasis, with notable improvements in specific clinical signs.
Background:
The use of topical calcipotriol in adults with psoriasis is safe and effective.
Objective:
Our purpose was to study the efficacy and safety of calcipotriol in children.
Methods:
A multicenter, prospective, 8-week, double-blind, parallel group study was conducted in 77 children. Response to treatment was assessed by means of the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) in that the intensity of redness, thickness, and scaliness as well as the area involved are scored. The children were 2 to 14 years of age and had stable psoriasis, involving less than 30% of the body surface. Forty-three children were assigned to receive calcipotriol ointment and 34 to receive placebo. Nine children dropped out of the study, six in the calcipotriol-treated group and three in the placebo-treated group.
Results:
Both treatment groups (calcipotriol and placebo) showed significant improvement in PASI from baseline to the end of treatment, and the difference was not statistically significant. No serious side effects, in particular including those relating to calcium and bone metabolism, were recorded.
Conclusion:
Calcipotriol ointment was statistically significantly more effective than its vehicle in terms of the investigator's overall assessment and reduction in redness and scaliness but not in terms of PASI score.