Epidermolysis bullosa. Assessment of a treatment regimen.

Nineteen patients with a variety of types of epidermolysis bullosa were initially assessed in an open study of a treatment regime for the genetic type of epidermolysis bullosa. Nine of the ten patients admitted to the hospital for treatment showed definite objective improvement with decreased number of blisters and increased rate of healing of blisters. The mean percentage decrease in blister numbers from the time of admission until discharge from hospital was 76%. Sixteen patients were followed as outpatients for 5-11 months. Two patients continued to show objective improvement, while eight reported more rapid healing of their blisters. Six patients failed to improve. This treatment has a beneficial effect in inpatients with epidermolysis bullosa. The improvement may be due to the intense topical treatment rather than to a specific item of the therapy. In the long term, this treatment has little effect on the formation of new blisters, but an accelerated healing of blisters is reported by 50% of the patients.