CYCLOSPORINE-A IN THE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC DERMATITIS OF THE HANDS

The efficacy of cyclosporin A (CBA) treatment was studied in seven pat ients with chronic dermatitis of the hands. CyA was started at a daily dose of 2.5 mg/kg in five patients, and 1.25 mg/kg in two patients. I n patients who responded to the treatment at 2.5 mg/kg/day the daily C yA dose was reduced stepwise, to the lowest maintenance dose of 1.25 m g/kg. In patients who did not respond, the dose was increased, to a ma ximum of 5 mg/kg/day. The patients were treated for 2-16 weeks. In six of the seven patients the dermatitis responded to CyA treatment withi n a few weeks. No response was seen with a starting dose of 1.25 mg/kg /day. In three of the five patients with a starting dose of 2.5 mg/kg/ day, the daily CYA dose could be reduced to 1.25-2 mg/kg/day. After st opping CyA treatment, the dermatitis recurred during follow-up in thre e patients, three remained in remission, and one patient was not avail able for study. Treatment-related side-effects occurred in three patie nts. CYA treatment had to be stopped in one patient due to headache. T he present study suggests that CyA could be a useful treatment for chr onic dermatitis of the hands not responding to conventional therapy.