Efficacy and Safety of Different Formulations of Calcipotriol/Betamethasone Dipropionate in Psoriasis: Gel, Foam, and Ointment

Preparations containing calcipotriol combined with betamethasone dipropionate (in the forms of ointment, gel, and foam) are available for the topical treatment of psoriasis. This review summarizes the differences in the efficacy and safety of these formulations, as well as the preferences of patients with various forms of psoriasis (plaque, scalp, and nail psoriasis). It has been documented that foams provide higher bioavailability, resulting in increased efficacy in plaque psoriasis compared to ointments and gels. Gels or foams are preferred by patients for their different practical qualities (e.g., gels for “easy application”, and foams for “immediate relief”). The available data indicate that ointments may be the most effective formulation in nail psoriasis, and gels are preferred by patients with scalp psoriasis because of their cosmetic features. Treatment with a foam formulation is associated with a lower number of medical appointments compared to treatment with an ointment and with a lower probability of developing indications for systemic treatment. The safety profiles of foams, ointments, and gels are comparable, with the most common adverse effect being pruritus at the application site (in 5.8% of the patients). A long-term proactive maintenance therapy markedly reduces the number of relapses and is likely to close the gap between topical and systemic treatment in psoriasis.

A comparative study of Fractional co2 laser combined with topical methotrexate versus Fractional co2 laser combined with topical [Calcipotriol + Betamethasone] in the treatment of nail psoriasis

Background Nail psoriasis is a distressing clinical condition as it is known that psoriasis on visible areas of the skin, such as the face, hands and nails, may have a substantial negative impact on physical, psychological, and social dimensions of quality of life. The additional negative consequences of nail involvement in psoriasis are pain, inability to grasp small objects, tie shoe laces or button clothes, and cause an altered sense of fine touch. Objective To evaluate and compare the efficacy, safety and side effects of co2 laser combined with topical methotrexate in one side and topical (calcipotriol +betamethasone) in the other side of the patient for the treatment of nail psoriasis. Patients and Methods This comparative pilot study included 20 patients with nail psoriasis. They were recruited from the dermatology out-patient clinic of Ain–Shams University Hospitals, during the period from March 2019 till October 2019. The study was approved by Research Ethical Committee of Ain Shams University (FMASU M S 71/2019) and fulfilled all the ethical aspects required for a human research. Results Our study revealed that both medications showed marked statistical and clinical improvement of the nail condition in a period of 2 months when applied topically after nail exposure to fractional co2 laser which facilitated the delivery of both medications through the nail plates to the site of the psoriasis inflammation in therapeutic concentrations by creating pores through the nails. There was no statistical or clinical difference between both medications regarding the improvement of the NAPSI scores or the level of patient satisfaction. However, there were some nail symptoms that didn’t show any improvement as (sub-ungual hyperkeratosis and nail ridging). Conclusion Our treatment protocol’s side effects based mainly on the action of fractional co2 laser which caused pain and nail bleeding during sessions for some of the patients in each group, while topical methotrexate caused nail yellowish discoloration for the all involved group. However, these side effects lasted for very short time and didn’t have any impact on the level of the patient satisfaction. There was no statistical difference in the level of the patient satisfaction between both groups.

Calcipotriol/Betamethasone Dipropionate Aerosol Foam for Plaque Psoriasis: A Prospective, Observational, Non-Interventional, Single-Center Study of Patient Adherence and Satisfaction in Daily Use

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that has a negative impact on patients' quality of life. Patients with mild–moderate psoriasis can be treated with topical medications, such as the combination drug calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate (Cal/BD). Objectives: This study investigated the adherence of psoriasis patients to therapy with Cal/BD aerosol foam, as well as their satisfaction with the treatment’s efficacy, safety, and effect on their quality of life. Methods: Patients with mild–moderate plaque psoriasis were eligible to participate in this open-label, non-placebo controlled, prospective single-center study. Adherence to treatment was assessed using the Morisky-Green scale 4 and 12 weeks after the start of treatment. Satisfaction with the treatment was assessed using the abbreviated Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM-9). The severity of psoriasis was assessed on the mIGA and PGA scales, and the impact on quality of life was assessed using the PDI and DLQI scales. Results: A total of 65 patients entered the study. Adherence to treatment was good, with 73.8% of patients showing high adherence at 12 weeks. Satisfaction was also good, with 46 patients (70.8%) being completely satisfied. Conclusions: Over a 4-week period, patients treated with Cal/BD aerosol foam had significant improvement in disease severity that was directly related to treatment adherence.

Recurrent Erythema Annulare Centrifugum due to Influenza Type A

Erythema annulare centrifugum (EAC) is a rare erythema characterized by erythematous and urticarial papules or annular plaques that enlarges centrifugally. The lesions usually involve the thighs and the legs. Several disorders are occasionally associated with EAC, infections, including mycoses, bacteria, or viruses and drugs have also been regarded as possible causes of this eruption. We present a 42-year-old dark-skinned woman affected by recurrent EAC that appeared secondary to influenza type A (H1N1). Histopathology showed a superficial form of EAC. In our case, a previous cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection were identified and no underlying other diseases were found. Clarithromycin with calcipotriol betamethasone treatment was temporarily efficacious. In the last 3 years, the lesions started to appear every 2 weeks and tended to regress with local treatment after a variable period. We believe that the latent cytomegalovirus and the reactivity induced by EBV combined with influenza can determine, in our case, a cell mediate cutaneous immune response, which leads to the peculiar inflammatory disease known as EAC.