The effectiveness of topical vitamin k cream 1% in the treatment of steroid-induced rosacea

Abstract

A randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, conducted in the Department of Dermatology and Venereology in Al-Kindy Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq for a duration of 19 months (from April 2017 to Nov. 2018) to assess the effectiveness of Topical vitamin K cream 1% in treatment of steroid-induced rosacea. The study involved 75 females diagnosed with steroid-induced rosacea of erythematotelangiectatic subtype. Total number of patients was 75 with mean age 37.1±3.022 years and the patients divided randomly into two groups. Group A was 25 patients received. Aqua soft cream twice daily for a period of two months. While group B was 50 patients were received topical vitamin K cream 1%. One questionnaire had been applied to all cases, full history and examination had been done. Patients in each group were assessed after 4 weeks and 8 weeks of therapy according to Erythematotelangiectatic severity scoring system regarding flushing, non-transient erythema, telangiectasia, burning and dryness. Results revealed that the mean of erythematotelangiectasia severity score was reduced in both groups but it was statistically significant in treated group. In vitamin K treated group the p-value was statistically significant after 4 weeks and it was highly significant after 8 weeks of therapy. We concluded that the use of topical vitamin K was effective therapeutics option in treatment of SIR with rapid improvement in the flushing, non-transient erythema, telangiectasia, burning and dryness with mild and tolerable side effects.