Abstract
Background:
Moderate to severe chronic hand dermatitis (CHD) is not well controlled by current medical strategies; however, recent studies have shown significant improvement in patients treated with up to 6 months of oral alitretinoin (9-cis-retinoic acid). The results of longer-term continuous treatment are lacking.
Objective:
To evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of alitretinoin for the treatment of CHD.
Methods:
The Physician's Global Assessment (PGA) and Modified Total Lesion Symptom Score (MTLSS) were used to assess CHD improvement in three patients treated with alitretinoin (10–30 mg/d). Patients had routine bloodwork and were monitored for adverse events.
Results:
Significant improvement in MTLSS scores (≈ 76%) was seen at 2 months (p < .002) and maintained for the 3-year treatment period with occasional dosage adjustments. No significant adverse events developed that necessitated treatment withdrawal.
Conclusion:
Alitretinoin was well tolerated in the treatment of these three CHD patients who were carefully monitored over this prolonged treatment period.
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