This article demonstrates that a once daily application of a calcineurin inhibitor pimecrolimus in this study) is enough to prevent the flare-ups of atopic dermatitis. At the same time it reduces the side effects, thus enhancing the compliance in the treatment of this chronic condition. In this study, comparison of twice-daily and once-daily applications of pimecrolimus cream 1% is done for prevention of atopic dermatitis relapses in pediatric patients. The abstract is shown below.
METHODS: This multicenter trial recruited 300 outpatients aged from 2 to 17 years of age, with mild-to-severe AD. The patients were initially treated with twice-daily topical pimecrolimus until complete clearance or for up to 6 weeks (open-label period). Those who achieved a decrease of at least 1 point in the Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) score were then randomized to double-blind treatment with pimecrolimus cream 1% either twice daily or once daily for up to 16 weeks.
RESULTS: Out of the 300 patients enrolled in the study, 268 were randomized to treatment with pimecrolimus cream 1% either twice daily or once daily (n = 134 in each group). The relapse rate was lower in the twice-daily dose group (9.9%) than that in the once-daily dose group (14.7%), but analysis of the time to disease relapse did not show a statistically significant difference between treatment arms.
CONCLUSION: Treatment of active atopic dermatitis lesions with pimecrolimus cream 1% twice daily, followed by the once-daily dosing regimen, was adequate to prevent subsequent relapses over 16 weeks in pediatric patients.
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