Source: Andrologia  |  Posted 9 years ago

Patients with psoriasis benefit more from a once-daily application of dithranol (anthralin) in Lassar's paste than with twice-daily application.

In a study comparing the efficacy and tolerability of the two regimes, the only patients who withdrew were in the twice-daily group. Also, nursing time spent on treatment was significantly greater in the twice-daily group.

Dermatology specialists at Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, England, randomised 61 in-patients with stable plaque psoriasis to receive once- or twice-daily applications of dithranol in Lassar's paste as part of an otherwise standard Ingram's regime.

Primary outcome measurements were time required in hospital, nursing time, changes in total body surface area affected by psoriasis and thickness of a target plaque. In some patients, psoriasis recurrence was assessed.

At baseline, the two groups were comparable in mean age, lesional surface area and target plaque thickness. No patient had received systemic therapy in the preceding three months.

Of the 61 patients, 42 completed the study. The two patients in the twice-daily group who withdrew did so because of skin irritation or 'burning'.

At discharge from hospital, mean lesional surface area and target plaque thickness were similar in the two groups. Mean time spent in hospital 13.3-13.9 (