A double-blind comparison of the efficacy of betamethasone dipropionate cream twice daily versus once daily in the treatment of steroid responsive dermatoses

Abstract

A total of 97 out-patients with steroid responsive dermatoses (63 eczema, 34 psoriasis) were recruited from two centres. They were randomly allocated in a double-blind manner to receive either betamethasone dipropionate cream twice daily or betamethasone dipropionate cream in the morning and base cream in the evening. The treatment period was 3 weeks. Eighty-five patients completed the study. There were no statistical differences between once daily application and twice daily for all of the parameters studied in both the eczema and psoriasis patients. Analysis of the diary card records, however, showed that symptomatic relief occurred more quickly in eczema patients receiving twice daily application of betamethasone dipropionate cream (P = 0.03). The use of betamethasone dipropionate cream once daily in conjunction with an emollient provides a regime which is as effective as a twice daily application of betamethasone dipropionate.