Comparative evaluation of efficacy and safety of calcipotriol versus calcitriol ointment, both in combination with narrow-band ultraviolet B phototherapy in the treatment of stable plaque psoriasis

BackgroundVitamin D analogues and NBUVB are both well-recognised modes of therapy in the treatment of chronic stable plaque psoriasis. The objective of this open label intraindividual, left right study was to compare two different vitamin D analogues, calcipotriol and calcitriol, in combination with NBUVB phototherapy in psoriasis. MethodsThirty patients with stable plaque psoriasis were enrolled for a 12-week clinical trial. The target lesion on the left side was treated topically with calcitriol ointment, while that on the right side was treated with calcipotriol ointment once daily. The whole body was irradiated with narrow-band ultraviolet B phototherapy (NBUVB) three times per week. Efficacy was assessed by target plaque scoring. ResultsBoth therapies resulted in a statistically significant reduction in erythema, scaling, thickness, and target plaque score, seen as early as 2 weeks into therapy. However, the calcipotriol combination led to an earlier clearance of plaques and a lesser relapse rate than the calcitriol combination. The number of treatment sessions and cumulative NBUVB doses were significantly lower in the calcipotriol-treated group. ConclusionBoth vitamin D analogues appear to be safe, effective, and cosmetically acceptable, with calcipotriol being more efficacious, well tolerated, with a rapid onset of action and a better maintenance of response.

Automated summary

This study compared two different vitamin D analogues, calcipotriol and calcitriol, in combination with NBUVB phototherapy for the treatment of psoriasis. Both therapies showed significant reductions in symptoms, but the calcipotriol combination had better efficacy, lower relapse rate, and required fewer treatment sessions and doses of NBUVB.