CALCIPOTRIOL IMPROVES THE EFFICACY OF CYCLOSPORINE IN THE TREATMENT OF PSORIASIS-VULGARIS

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and toler ability of the association of calcipotriol ointment (50 mu g/g) plus c yclosporine versus cyclosporine alone in the treatment of moderate pso riasis (mean PASI: 13). Methods Twenty patients were enrolled in this right-left open study. All the patients admitted were treated with cyl osporine at an initial dose of 4.5 mg/kg/day; in case of clinical impr ovement this dosage was reduced by 0.5 mg/kg/day every 15 days. In eac h patient we chose two similar, symmetrical lesions and calcipotriol o intment was applied only on the right lesion, twice a day, until the h ealing of the lesion or for 1 month. Patients were checked at baseline and every 15 days. Results Eighteen patients completed the study and 17 of the 18 presented more evident improvement on the side treated wi th combined therapy, while only one patient showed a better result on the side treated with cyclosporine alone. A significant difference of the total score was already present after 15 days of therapy and was c onfirmed at the following check-ups. Conclusions These results underli ne the usefulness of the association of calcipotriol and cyclosporine in order to decrease the total dosage of cyclosporine. (C) 1998 Elsevi er Science B.V.