A single-blind, parallel-group study of E45 Cream to treat asteatotic eczema

Abstract

This study evaluated the benefit, safety and tolerability of reformulated E45 Cream in the treatment of asteatotic eczema. A group of 40 patients (>60 years of age) was randomized to receive E45 Cream up to four times daily or no treatment for 28 days. Both groups of patients were reevaluated on day 14. Clinical assessments were carried out on days 0 (baseline), 14 and 28. A five-point scale was used to assess skin dryness, cracking, redness, stinging and the investigator's overall opinion of the effect of therapy. In patients treated with E45 Cream, there were significant improvements in skin dryness (P=0.0003) and skin cracking (P=0.005) compared with baseline. In the patients who changed from no treatment to E45 Cream on day 14 there were significant improvements (on day 28) in favour of E45 Cream for skin dryness (P=0.003), redness (P=0.001) and cracking (P=0.007). There were also significant differences in favour of E45 Cream for the assessments of overall skin condition on day 28. In conclusion, E45 Cream is an effective and well tolerated treatment for asteatotic eczema. The clinical efficacy of E45 Cream and its lack of adverse effects will enhance patient compliance which is a major determinant of the effect of an emollient.