Treatment of Localized Psoriasis With a Topical Formufation of Zinc Pyrithione Pubmed



Sadeghian G¹ ; Ziaei H² ; Nilforoushzadeh MA¹
Source: Acta Dermatovenerologica Alpina, Pannonica et Adriatica Published:2011

Abstract

Background: Psoriasis is a common chronic condition of the skin that is resistant to many therapies. Aim: To test the efficacy of a topical formulation of zinc pyrithione in an emollient base compared with an emollient alone in the treatment of psoriasis. Methods: This was a randomized double-blind clinical trial. Patients with localized psoriasis involving less than 10% of body skin areas were enrolled in the study. They were randomly allocated to one of two treatment groups. Group A was treated with emollient cream containing 0.25% zinc pyrithione and group B was treated with emollient cream alone twice daily for 3 months. Response to treatment was assessed using PASI scores. Results: Of 60 participants, 30 patients in group A and 30 patients in group B completed the study. The mean PASI scores before and after treatment were 3.4 ± 1.8 and 0.9 ± 1.3 in group A (p < 0.01), and 4.3 ± 2 and 3.9 ± 1.3 in group B (p > 0.05), and there was a significant difference between the two groups' mean PASI scores at the end of the study (p < 0.01).The differences in the mean PASI scores before and after treatment were 2.4 ± 2 and 0.4 ± 0.1 in groups A and B, respectively (p < 0.01). Conclusion: A topical formulation of zinc pyrithione can be used to treat localized psoriasis.