Occlusive versus nonocclusive calcipotriol ointment treatment for palmoplantar psoriasis

Thirty-nine patients with a clinical diagnosis of palmoplantar psoriasis [2 3 (58%) males and 16 (42%) females] were included in this study with the ai m of evaluating the efficacy of occlusive calcipotriol 50 mug/mg ointment v s. nonocclusive therapy Patients were randomized to either twice-weekly ove rnight calcipotriol ointment under occlusion or twice-daily topical nonoccl usive application of the same ointment for 6 weeks. The effect of treatment was assessed on the basis of a psoriasis signs score for erythema, thickne ss and scaliness, which was graded from 0 (absent) to 4 (most severe) at th e first visit, after 2 weeks and at the end of treatment. Analysis of our r esults showed that twice-weekly occlusive calcipotriol ointment was as effe ctive as the twice-daily application. The mean total score at baseline was 6 for the occlusive group and 6.1 for the nonocclusive group. The score dec reased to 1.5 in both groups at the end of treatment. No significant advers e effects were reported by patients or investigators. We conclude that occl usive calcipotriol ointment is effective in the treatment of palmoplantar p soriasis and may produce even better results with more frequent use, such a s application on alternate days.