Calcipotriol solution for the treatment of scalp psoriasis: Evaluation of efficacy, safety and acceptance in 3,396 patients

Background. Psoriasis of the scalp is a very common disease, cosmetically d isturbing and therapeutically difficult to manage. Objective: The aim of ou r study was to investigate the efficacy, safety and cosmetic acceptance of calcipotriol solution in a large number of patients with mild to moderate s calp psoriasis and to compare this treatment with previous therapies used. Methods: In this multicentre prospective observational cohort study 3,396 p atients were treated with calcipotriol solution (50 mug/ml) twice daily ove r an 8-week period either alone or in combination with other treatments. Th e psoriasis scalp severity index (PSSI) and investigator/patient global ass essment were used for the evaluation of clinical response. Results: All pso riasis severity parameters measured were reduced with a significant decreas e in PSSI scores from 18.4 to 5.6 after 8 weeks of therapy (p<0.001). About 80% of the patients showed very good or good clinical improvement. Combina tion of calcipotriol solution with other treatment modalities e.g. corticos teroids or salicylic acid, showed an increased treatment response. In only 2.4% of the patients side effects occurred (e.g. irritation). Conclusion: C alcipotriol solution is an effective, safe, well-tolerated and cosmetically acceptable treatment modality. By patients and physicians, this treatment was found to be a valuable supplement to previously available and establish ed treatments for scalp psoriasis. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.