Comparative study of two types of emollients containing 0.3% heparinoid on the clinical efficacy, usability and satisfaction in patients with atopic dermatitis

Abstract

Two types of prescription topical emollients containing 0.3% heparinoid were used concurrently on either side of the body in 16 Japanese patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) treated with a standard topical administration of corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitor. One of the prescription topical emollients, containing 0. 3% heparinoid, is an aqueous type lotion (Besoften lotion® ), and the other one is a milky type lotion (Hirudoid lotion® ). The effects of the two types of skin emollients on the severity of the disease, the water content in the stratum corneum and the transepidermal water loss (TEWL) were studied by comparing the patients' right and left hemibody at the beginning of the study, at 4 weeks and at 8 weeks. The usability and patients' satisfaction or preference for one or the other of the skin emollients were also assessed by the subjects using VAS at the end of study. The results showed that both types of skin emollient improved clinical symptoms of AD. Although neither type of emollient caused a significant improvement in water content in the epidermal stratum corneum and TEWL during this study period, the patients judged that both skin smoothness and skin wetness were significantly improved with the use of either type of emollient throughout the study. Based on the feeling just after topical application of the emollient, the patients judged an aqueous type lotion as significantly superior to a milky type lotion, however, other factors -including the easiness of application, the odor when applied and whether they would want to continue to use the emollient -did not show any significant differences between these two types of emollient. These results suggest that dermatologists should select the more suitable emollient in combination with the standard topical treatment of AD, and that the suitability may vary depending on patients' preferences, seasonal difference and sweating.