Kravvas G, et al. - Researchers pursued this study in order to investigate the efficacy and adverse reactions of topical treatments in pediatric psoriasis. It was discovered that the topical agents were safe, easy to use, readily available and cheap. Nevertheless, they required a frequent application, possibly led to skin irritation, and could be messy. Therefore, utilization of all the available topical options was suggested before escalating to systemic treatments.

Methods

• Using the MEDLINE database, experts carried out a comprehensive literature search to analyze the effects of topical treatments in pediatric psoriasis.
• They identified 13 relevant articles on the following topical agents: Corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, vitamin D analogs, and dithranol.

Results

• In 72.7% of patients, corticosteroids appeared to achieve clearance.
• A 57.2%-100% mean improvement was gained in the severity due to calcitriol and 52%-64% improvement by calcipotriol.
• It was discovered that calcipotriol plus corticosteroids resulted in an improvement in mean severity ranging between 32.1% and 80%.
• As per the outcomes, tacrolimus therapy caused an >50% improvement.
• A variable response was noted via short contact dithranol in the clearance between different studies, ranging between 3.7% and 81%.
• Authors did not find any serious adverse reactions, with the most common local reaction being irritation.
• Findings illustrated that pediatric psoriasis served as a common and challenging condition with no easy and definitive solution.