Comparison of a treatment phase and a follow-up phase of short-contact dithranol and calcipotriol in outpatients with chronic plaque psoriasis

OBJECTIVE/METHODS: The efficacy, adverse events and acceptability of microe ncapsulated dithranol (Micanol(R)), short-contact, and calcipotriol ointmen t, twice dairy, were compared in a multicentre study in 171 outpatients wit h chronic, plaque-type psoriasis, An active treatment phase and a follow-up phase without active treatment were included. RESULTS: The efficacy of calcipotriol ointment was significantly better tha n dithranol cream in the treatment phase. During the follow-up phase, a sig nificantly greater proportion of patients obtaining greater than or equal t o 50% improvement from initial treatment with dithranol cream stayed in rem ission compared with calcipotriol ointment. CONCLUSION: Adverse events were limited and minor, and the acceptability of both treatments was good; dithranol cream, like calcipotriol ointment, can be used by patients at home.