Abstract
A randomized, double-blind, left-right study to compare the therapeutic efficacy of hydrocortisone 17-butyrate (Locoid) 0·1% cream with hydrocortisone (Uniderm) 1% cream was performed in forty children suffering from atopic dermatitis. The medications were applied to symmetrical bilateral skin lesions twice daily for a maximum of 4 weeks or until complete clinical clearance of such lesions had occurred.
Complete clearance of skin symptoms was found in 36% of the Locoid-treated sides and in 23% of the Uniderm-treated sides following 2 weeks of therapy and in 60% and 30%, respectively, after 4 weeks of treatment. This difference in clearance rate after 4 weeks between both preparations was significantly in favour of Locoid cream.
The expressed preferences of patients/parents and investigator were also significantly in favour of Locoid cream, both after 2 and 4 weeks.
No serious side-effects were reported during this study. It is concluded that Locoid cream is significantly superior to Uniderm cream in the treatment of atopic dermatitis in children.
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