Calcipotriol cream in the morning and ointment in the evening: a novel regimen to improve compliance

Abstract

Background: Calcipotriol ointment and calcipotriol cream have both been shown to be effective in the treatment of psoriasis.

Aim: To find out the patient compliance, efficacy and tolerance to a regimen of a calcipotriol cream application in the morning and a calcipotriol ointment application in the evening.

Methods: In order to obtain data relevant to daily practice, information was obtained from patients and dermatologists on the treatment of psoriasis with a combination of calcipotriol ointment and calcipotriol cream. In total, three assessments were carried out: at the beginning, after 3 weeks and after 8 weeks. The first assessment comprised general demographics, localization of the lesions, the percentage body surface involved, and details on other antipsoriatic medications. The second and third assessments were an evaluation of compliance and efficacy in comparison with calcipotriol ointment monotherapy, provided that the patients had experience with this treatment. In total, 976 patients were included by 170 dermatologists in The Netherlands and Belgium.

Results: Compliance with the combined use of calcipotriol cream in the morning and calcipotriol ointment in the evening was optimal in 60-70% of the patients. The highest compliance was shown at the second visit but dropped at the third visit. Those patients with previous experience of calcipotriol ointment indicated that the calcipotriol cream/ointment regimen was a better principle. Response to the calcipotriol cream/ointment regimen was considered good in 67-76% of the patients.

Conclusion: The present study indicates that the combined use of calcipotriol cream in the morning and ointment in the evening is useful as a principle for mild to severe psoriasis. A total of 67-68% of the patients stated that this regimen was the most preferred topical treatment of psoriasis.