1. Efficacy of topical tacrolimus for the treatment of persistent pruritus ani in patients with atopic dermatitis.
- Author
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Ucak, Haydar, Demir, Betul, Cicek, Demet, Dertlioglu, Selma Bakar, Akkurt, Zeynep Meltem, Ucmak, Derya, and Halisdemir, Nurhan
- Subjects
TACROLIMUS ,ITCHING ,ATOPIC dermatitis ,PLACEBOS ,QUALITY of life ,TREATMENT of eczema ,PATIENTS ,THERAPEUTICS - Abstract
Background: Pruritus ani (PA) is defined as intense chronic itching affecting perianal skin. Objective: We aimed to determine the efficacy of topical tacrolimus treatment in atopic dermatitis (AD) patients who have PA. Methods: The study included 32 patients with AD who were suffering PA. Patients were randomized into two groups. In total, 16 patients used 0.03% tacrolimus ointment and 16 patients used vaseline as placebo. All groups applied topical treatments to their perianal area twice daily for 4 weeks. The treatments were then reversed for 4 weeks after a 2 weeks wash out period. Results: In total, 32 patients with AD who had refractory anal itching were enrolled in this study. None of the patients had obtained successful results with previous treatments. There was a statistically significant decrease in the recorded EASI, DLQI and itching scores for the tacrolimus group compared to the placebo group at weeks 4 and 6 of treatment ( p < 0.05). Conclusion: Topical tacrolimus treatment was well tolerated and effective in controlling persistent PA in AD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2013
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