Long-term intermittent treatment of localized chronic eczema with triamcinolone acetonide and econazole nitrate cream.

Abstract

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of long-term intermittent treatment with topical corticosteroids in localized chronic eczema.Methods A total of 129 patients with localized chronic eczema were treated with triamcinolone acetonide and econazole nitrate cream (Pevisone (R)).Those who achieved a clinical cure within 4-week treatment were recruited into the following long-term study and classifled into 2 groups to be intermittently treated with triamcinolone acetonide and econazole nitrate cream or a moisturizing cream for 8 weeks.The cream was applied topically twice a day for 2 days every week.Patients were followed up on week 4 and 8 after the beginning of treatment and on week 12 after the discontinuation of treatment.The severity of eczema in patients was rated according to SCORAD (SCORing atopic dermatitis) score.Results The SCORAD score was significantly lower in patients treated with triamcinolone acetonide and econazole nitrate cream than in those with moisturizing cream on week 8 in the treatment and week 12 after the discontinuation (t=3.076,2.367,both P<0.05).A statistical decrease was also observed in the recurrence rate of eczema in patients treated with triamcinolone acetonide and econazole nitrate cream compared with moisturizing cream.treated patients at the 3 follow-up time points (x2=4.426,7.683,8.199,all P<0.05).The incidence of adverse events was 3.1% during the treatment with triamcinolone acetonide and econazole nitrate cream.No severe adverse reactions were observed.Conclusion Long-term intermittent treatment with topical corticosteroids is effective for the prevention of exacerbation and postponement of recurrence,of eczema. Key words: Eczema; Long-term intermittent treatment; Topical corticosteroids