Remission and relapse of chronic plaque psoriasis treated once a week withclobetasol propionate occluded with a hydrocolloid dressing versus twice daily treatment with clobetasol propionate alone

BACKGROUND: Many studies have shown the clinical efficiency of occlusion th erapy for psoriasis, particularly corticosteroids used under hydrocolloid d ressings. However, there are no data from comparative clinical studies eval uating the remission and relapse characteristics of such occlusion therapy compared with orthodox topical steroid monotherapy. METHODS: In a randomised, open-label, parallel group study from three centr es, the remission and relapse characteristics were investigated for the use of a hydrocolloid dressing (HCD) over clobetasol propionate 0.05% lotion o nce a week compared with the same steroid in ointment formulation used unoc cluded twice a day in 61 patients with stable chronic plaque psoriasis. RESULTS: There was a pronounced treatment difference in favour of the HCD clobetasol propionate lotion group with respect to time to clearance, but there was little evidence for a difference with respect to time to relapse. CONCLUSION: The combination of the HCD + clobetasol propionate lotion provi des a fast and highly effective remission induction.