Short- and long-contact therapy using a new dithranol formulation in individually adjusted dosages in the management of psoriasis.

This study compares two treatment regimens, short- and long-contact dithranol in individually adjusted dosages, using a new formulation (Micanol) in the management of psoriasis. It was designed as a six week, randomized, open, parallel groups study. Twenty-two in-patients and 27 out-patients were included with either plaque type or small patch type of psoriasis. Patients in the short-contact group started using daily applications of 1% Micanol for an average of 13 minutes. The concentration and the application time were then gradually increased and after six weeks of treatment the corresponding averages were 2.5% and 185 minutes. Patients in the long-contact group started with daily applications of 0.1% Micanol for an average of eight hours. After six weeks the corresponding averages were 0.33% and 14 hours. The composite sign severity score (CSSS) was defined as the sum of scores for lesional erythema, desquamation and induration divided by three. The CSSS constituted the primary efficacy variable and was reduced by 73% after six weeks in the short-contact group and by 78% in the long-contact group. Side-effects were of low severity. There were no differences between neither treatment groups nor types of psoriasis apart from more staining of clothing in the short-contact group. This study suggests that Micanol is well suited for both short- and long-contact regimens in individually adjusted dosages and may be used for in- as well as out-patients.