COMPARATIVE STUDY OF EFFICACY OF VARIOUS TOPICAL TREATMENT MODALITIES FOR PSORIASIS

Abstract

Introduction: Psoriasis is a common type of chronic skin disorder often accompanied by inflammation and demarked by ‘red papules or plaques with multiple layers of silvery white scales covering the limbs’.  It can be classified into 4 types, “vulgaris, erythroderma, pustular, and articular”. Important clinical features are red patches of skin with silver-like thick scales, tiny scaling spots (prevalent  in children), cracked or dried skin from which blood may ooze out, itching, swelling, sensation of burning, nail deformations (thickening, pitted/ridged type),  stiffened or swelled-up joints.

Aims and Objectives: To find out the efficacy of various topical ointments used in psoriasis. In our study, we considered liposomal dithranol ointment and 0.1% Betamethasone valerate ointment.

Materials and Methods: This is a prospective study conducted between October 2021 and January 2022. The study considered 40 patients. 20 patients received liposomal dithranol ointment while another 20 patients were given 0.1% Betamethasone valerate ointment. The assessment was done by Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) which takes body surface area, erythema, induration and presence of scales into consideration.

Results: The PASI score was determined before the treatment once for each patient. After the treatment, again, PASI score was determined. It was found that the reduction of PASI is more significant in group 2 as compared to group 1, thus, indicating the efficacy of treatment in group 2. It is showed that the reduction of percentage of PASI score in group 2 was much more significant as compared to the patients of group 1.

Conclusion: The study concluded that  0.1% Betamethasone valerate ointment is significantly better in psoriasis as topical treatment as compared to liposomal dithranol ointment.

Keywords: dithranol, psoriasis, pasi, betamethasone