A Clinical Study of Calcipotriol Ointment in the Treatment of Psoriasis Vulgaris

Chun, Soo Il

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Calcipotriol, a new vitamin D3 analogue, is a potent growth inhibitor for human keratinocytes and has been shown to be effective in the topical treatment of psoriasis with no major disturbances of calcium homeostasis.
OBJECTIVE
An open multicenter trial was conducted to assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of topical calcipotriol ointment(50ug/g) twice daily in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris.
METHODS
Op patients recruited from the Department of Dermatology of 30 universities and raining hospitals in Korea, 108 patients who could be followed up at the end of study were evaluated. Efficacy, as measured by the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index(PASI), and safety were assessed at 2, 4, and 6 week.
RESULTS
Reduction of PASI score was stastically significant at all time points of treatment(p<0.01). At the completion of 6 weeks of treatment, the mean PASI reduction was 76.7%. The scores of thickness and scale decrease more than that of erythema. An analysis of patient and clinician overall self-assessment at 6 weeks showed cleared, marked improvement and moderate improvement in 65.2% and 62.9% at each. Some patients developed minimal irritation of lesional or perilesional skin. Laboratory tests did not show any significant changes particularly, serum calcium levels.
CONCLUSION
Calcipotriol ointment was effective as measured by PASI score and the self-assessment in patients with psoriasis vulgaris and was well tolerated.