Abstract: LIU Fu-hua*, SHI Wei, WU Ri-na, LI Fu-qiu, WANG Gang, WU Yan, GU Hua, TU Ying, LIU Hai-yang, SUN Li, ZHANG Chong, WANG Bing, L?譈 Sha，YU Chen, HE Li. *Department of Dermatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Yunnan Provincial Institute of Dermatology, Kunming 650032, China Corresponding author: HE Li, Email: heli2662@yahoo.com.cn 【Abstract】 Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effect of a hyaluronan-containing emulsion on xerotic eczema. Methods A multicenter, randomized, open study was carried out. Eighty-two patients with xerotic eczema were divided into two groups: experimental group topically treated with a hyaluronan-containing emulsion combined with mometasone furoate cream, control group topically treated with mometasone furoate cream only. Both drugs were applied twice a day for 14 days. Patients were evaluated at the baseline, and at 7, 14, 28, 42 and 56 days after the initiation of treatment. Treatment outcomes included SCORAD score, transepidermal water loss （TEWL） value, water content of the stratum corneum, total response rate, patient's self-evaluation and recurrence rate. Results The SCORAD score was 4.42 ± 2.64 on day 42 and 3.49 ± 2.78 on day 56 in the experimental group, significantly lower than that in the control group （6.03 ± 4.02 on day 42 and 6.06 ± 4.28 on day 56, both P < 0.05）. The total response rate in the experimental group was statistically different from that in the control group on day 56 （P < 0.05）. Follow up on day 28, 42 and 56 revealed significant differences in the recurrence rate between the control group and the experimental group （11.4% vs. 0, 11.4% vs. 0, 20% vs. 0, all P < 0.05）. Reduced TEWL was observed on day 56 （10.35 ± 2.02 vs. 17.28 ± 4.06, P < 0.05）, while elevated water content of stratum corneum was noted on day 42 （29.10 ± 5.39 vs. 23.12 ± 4.76, P < 0.05） and day 56 （31.79 ± 4.09 vs. 22.87 ± 4.85, P < 0.05） in the experimental group compared with the control group. No adverse reactions occurred in the experimental group. Conclusions Topical application of the hyaluronan-containing emulsion can restore epidermal barrier function, reduce the recurrence of xerotic eczema, and may serve as a safe adjuvant therapy for xerotic eczema.

Key words: Hyaluronan-dominant emulsion