Ann Dermatol.  2016 Jun;28(3):364-370. 10.5021/ad.2016.28.3.364.

Efficacy and Safety of Alitretinoin for Chronic Hand Eczema in Korean Patients

• Kwon HI
• Kim JE
• Ko JY
• Ro YS

• KMID: 2164645
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2016.28.3.364

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Chronic hand eczema (CHE) tends to be refractory to conventional therapy. Previous clinical trials have found that a 24-week treatment course of oral alitretinoin is effective and well tolerated for CHE treatment.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of oral alitretinoin in Korean CHE patients.
METHODS
A total of 27 patients with moderate to severe CHE took 30 mg of alitretinoin daily for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy parameter was the physician's global assessment (PGA). The response was defined as a patient being "clear" or "almost clear" of disease. The secondary efficacy parameters were the modified total lesion symptom score (mTLSS) and the patients' global assessment (PaGA). All adverse events and laboratory abnormalities were recorded during the treatment period.
RESULTS
Alitretinoin led to CHE symptom improvement in 44.4% of patients. The PGA, mTLSS, and PaGA scores correlated well with each other. Reported adverse events were typical retinoid class effects and headache was the most common.
CONCLUSION
Taking 30 mg of oral alitretinoin daily for 12 weeks was found to be effective in treating Korean patients with CHE, compared with the 24 week-treatment shown in previous studies.

Keyword

Alitretinoin; Chronic hand eczema; Korea; Safety; Treatment outcome

MeSH Terms

Eczema*
Hand*
Headache
Humans
Korea
Treatment Outcome

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Clinical photographs in two patients with chronic hand eczem at baseline and after 12 weeks of alitretinoin treatment.

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  Fig. 2 Evaluation of the physician's global assessment (PGA) of chronic hand eczema after alitretinoin treatment. *Responders defined as 'clear' or 'almost clear' of disease.

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  Fig. 3 Evaluation of physician's global assessment (PGA) according to severity of chronic hand eczema (CHE) at baseline. *Responders defined as 'clear' or 'almost clear' of disease.

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  Fig. 4 Evaluation of physician's global assessment (PGA) according to etiological factors. *Responders defined as 'clear' or 'almost clear' disease. †Irritant contact dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, or not identified.

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  Fig. 5 Evaluation of physician's global assessment (PGA) according to type of chronic hand eczema (CHE). *Responders defined as 'clear' or 'almost clear' disease. †Multiple nominations possible.

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