Pimecrolimus cream 1% is effective in asteatotic eczema: results of a randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled study in 40 patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Pimecrolimus cream 1% is an effective treatment for atopic eczema. The aim was to investigate its efficacy in asteatotic eczema, a skin disease similar to atopic eczema and its associated dry skin and itching. METHODS: Single-centre, randomized, double-blind, vehicle controlled study in 40 patients with asteatotic eczema. Efficacy was assessed by eczema area and severity index (EASI), investigators global assessment (IGA), patient's self-assessment, and pruritus severity. RESULTS: After 4 weeks of treatment, EASI, the primary efficacy variable, was reduced by 62+/-7% from baseline in patients on pimecrolimus, compared to 21+/-14% in patients on vehicle (P=0.013). With pimecrolimus there was also a better control of pruritus (P=0.042) at week 4 whereas a better control of disease according to self-assessment could only be observed at weeks 2 (P=0.01) and week 3 (P=0.08). CONCLUSION: Pimecrolimus cream 1% is effective in patients with asteatotic eczema.