Abstract
BACKGROUND: Severe atopic dermatitis (AD) remains difficult to treat. Cyclosporine is effective in adults but has not previously been investigated in children with AD.
OBJECTIVE: The aims were to investigate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of cyclosporine in severe refractory childhood AD.
METHODS: Subjects 2 to 16 years of age were treated for 6 weeks with cyclosporine, 5 mg/kg per day, in an open study. Disease activity was monitored every 2 weeks by means of sign scores, visual analogue scales for symptoms, and quality-of-life questionnaires. Adverse events were monitored. Efficacy and tolerability were assessed with five-point scales.
RESULTS: Twenty-seven children were treated. Significant improvements were seen in all measures of disease activity. Twenty-two showed marked improvement or total clearing. Quality of life improved for both the children and their families. Tolerability was considered good or very good in 25 subjects.
CONCLUSION: Cyclosporine may offer an effective, safe, and well-tolerated short-term treatment option for children with severe AD.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1016-21 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology |
| Volume | 34 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| Publication status | Published - Jun 1996 |
Keywords
- Administration, Oral
- Administration, Topical
- Adolescent
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use
- Capsules
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Cyclosporine/administration & dosage
- Dermatitis, Atopic/drug therapy
- Drug Tolerance
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Glucocorticoids
- Humans
- Immunosuppressive Agents/administration & dosage
- Male
- Quality of Life
- Remission Induction
- Safety
- Solutions