Local treatment of psoriasis with clobetasol propionate and betamethasone-17, 21 dipropionate: A double-blind comparison

SummaryA double-blind comparison of the effectiveness of clobetasol propionate (‘Dermovate’) and betamethasone-17, 21 dipropionate (‘Diproderm’)was carried out in 50 cases with symmetrical, chronic, stable psoriatic lesions. The influence of the two compounds on the scaling, induration, erythema and itching of the lesions was compared. Both steroids were used as the commercially available cream (0.05 % active ingredient)and polythene occlusive dressings were used during the night in all cases. Follow-up examinations were carried out 1 and 2 weeks after the trial had started. After 1 week, clobetasol propionate was considered better in 22 cases, betamethasone-17, 21 dipropionate in 9 cases, and no difference could be seen in 19 cases. One week later clobetasol propionate was judged the better in 23 cases, betamethasone-17, 21 dipropionate in 5 cases, and in 22 cases there was no difference. The difference in effect was highly significant in favour of clobetasol propionate (p < 0.01).