EFFECTIVENESS OF TOPICAL THERAPY FOR PSORIASIS - RESULTS OF A NATIONAL SURVEY

Topical therapy is the major treatment approach for patients with psor iasis. However, the effectiveness of available drugs (response rates a nd long-term maintenance) is not well known. This study investigated t he current perceptions of American dermatologists on the effectiveness of topical medications for patients with mild or limited psoriasis. I n a survey of 225 American dermatologists, class I to II topical stero ids were regarded as most effective: 29 percent of dermatologists expe cted most of their patients to experience clearing of lesions when tre ated with these agents, Much lower response rates were found with medi um and low-potency steroids, anthralin, or tars. The percentage of pat ients whose skin remained clear of lesions decreased to 50 percent whi le receiving maintenance corticosteroid therapy by three months and to 29 percent after one year. Topical corticosteroids were considered le ss effective than the available photo/systemic therapies by 79 percent of physicians. More effective topical modalities need to be developed to treat patients with mild/limited psoriasis.