A double-blind trial comparing the efficacy and safety of augmented betamethasone dipropionate lotion with fluocinonide solution in the treatment of severe scalp psoriasis

Abstract

Scalp psoriasis is frequently recalcitrant to topical therapy. In this study the efficacy and safety of a super-potent (augmented betamethasone dipropionate 0.05% lotion) and a potent (fluocinonide 0.05% solution) topical corticosteroid were evaluated in the treatment of severe scalp psoriasis. A total of 169 subjects with severe psoriatic scaling of the scalp accompanied by induration, erythema, and pruritus/burning were enrolled in this randomized double-blind parallel-group trial of 3 weeks duration. Subjects applied the study medication twice daily and were evaluated five times during the study. Evaluations of individual disease parameters, the global response and the percentage improvement showed that both medications were effective in the treatment of severe scalp psoriasis. There was a significantly greater proportion of patients (P < 0.01) completely cleared of scaling at the end of therapy in the augmented betamethasone dipropionate group. There was a low incidence of treatment-related sidesffect...