Chinese Journal of Dermatology ›› 2012, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (5): 333-336.

• Original articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Clinical efficacy of 0.1% tacrolimus ointment combined with paroxetine for the treatment of neurodermatitis

  

  • Received:2011-11-24 Revised:2011-12-15 Online:2012-05-15 Published:2012-05-03

Abstract:

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficiency of 0.1% tacrolimus ointment combined with paroxetine in patients with neurodermatitis associated with insomnia. Methods Totally, 74 patients suffering from neurodermatitis and insomnia were consecutively enrolled in this study, and randomly assigned into the combination group and control group according to their number (odd or even). Both groups were given topical 0.1% tacrolimus ointment twice a day, and the combination group was additionally given oral paroxetine 10 mg once a day, for 8 weeks. The outcome parameters included main symptoms of neurodermatitis and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) score. Results No significant difference was observed in the cure rate (54.3% (19/35) vs. 53.1% (17/32), P > 0.05) or response rate (82.9% (29/35) vs. 81.3% (26/32), P > 0.05), between the combination group and control group. PSQI score was significantly lower in the combination group than in the control group after 8 weeks of treatment (P < 0.05). Conclusions The 0.1% tacrolimus ointment can be used to treat neurodermatitis safely. Antianxiety treatment can reduce the recurrence of neurodermatitis associated with insomnia, and improve the quality of sleep in patients.

Key words: Combined treatment