Efficacy of a detergent combined with a moisturizer for the treatment of pruritus associated with xerosis in an elderly population affected by Kaposi's sarcoma

BACKGROUND: Xerosis is common among patients with Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of a detergent containing dihydroavenanthramide D 5% combined with a moisturizer containing 1% of menthol for the treatment of chronic pruritus associated with xerosis in elderly KS patients. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, open-label, intra-individual, right/left comparative study. During the 4-week treatment study, patients used the test products on the right lower limb, and a basic skin cleanser plus basic cream on their left lower limb, in a predefined protocol. A 10 cm visual analogue scale (VAS), the hydration index (HI) of the stratum corneum and the overall dry skin score (ODSS) were used to assess pruritus and xerosis severity on admission, at 2 and 4 weeks. RESULTS: Thirty patients (24 males, 6 females, mean age: 76.6±6.8 years) were enrolled. At the end of 4 weeks, the mean pruritus VAS score declined from 4.2±2.2 to 1.7±1.4 on the right side, and from 4.2±2.2 to 2.3±1.5 on the left side. The HI score increased from 25.6±15.0 to 46.1±12.3 on the right side, and from 26.0±15.2 to 35.4±12.6 on the left side. Differences between the right and left limbs were significant for VAS score (P=0.0064), HI (P<0.0001) and ODSS values (P=0.0049). There was no adverse reaction to the test products. CONCLUSIONS: Daily use of a detergent containing dihydroavenanthramide D 5% combined with a moisturizer containing 1% of menthol improves chronic pruritus associated with xerosis in elderly adults with KS.