A new formulation of an occlusive dressing containing betamethasone valerate 0.1% in the treatment of mild to moderate psoriasis

Abstract

Background: Betamethasone valerate (BMV) is a medium-potency corticosteroid commonly used for the treatment of chronic psoriasis. Although occlusion has been shown to enhance the efficacy of BMV treatment, no ready-to-use occlusive BMV formulation is currently approved for the market. Methods: Forty-two patients with mild to moderate psoriasis and with symmetrical lesions were treated with BMV 0.1% tape and BMV 0.12% cream for 30 days in a half-side distribution. Both treatments resulted in a significant clinical improvement. Efficacy and tolerability were evaluated by comparison of pre-treatment and post-treatment psoriasis area and severity index and self-administered psoriasis area and severity index scores, and by comparison of the changes from baseline in clinical appearance and hydration. Results: Lesions treated with BMV 0.1% tape showed higher reductions from baseline in the psoriasis area and severity index and the self-administered psoriasis area and severity index scores (61.7% and 59.3%, respectively), compared with lesions treated with BMV 0.12% cream (39.5% and 34.0%, respectively). No serious local or systemic treatment-related adverse effects were reported. Conclusions: Our results indicate a higher efficacy of BMV 0.1% tape compared with BMV 0.12% cream in the treatment of mild to moderate chronic plaque psoriasis. © 2006 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.