Outpatient treatment with short-contact dithranol: the impact of frequent concentration adjustments

Short-contact therapy with dithranol has become an important possibility for the treatment of psoriasis on an outpatient basis. Two groups of patients with chronic stable plaque psoriasis were treated on an outpatient basis with a short-contact regime using dithranol in a stiffened paraffin base. In one group the concentrations were adjusted once a week and in the other group 3 times a week. Clinical results were evaluated using the Psoriasis Area Severity Index. In the group of patients which was seen 3 times a week, the improvement was significantly better. The duration of the treatment period was significantly shorter compared to the group seen once a week due to the shorter time interval in which the optimal concentration of dithranol was reached. In addition, the incidence and severity of irritation was more pronounced in the latter group.