EMOLLIENT CREAMS IN THE TREATMENT OF PSORIASIS - A STUDY OF PATIENT PREFERENCE

Emollient creams are an important part of treatment in disorders such as psoriasis, and their cosmetic properties are important for good compliance. Two popular emollient creams, Decubal(TM) and Essex(TM), were compared in a randomized, double-blind study using a split-body technique. Sixty patients (28 men and 32 women) with moderate psoriasis were entered in the study. Each cream was applied to the respective side of the body once a day for 7 days. Thereafter, the patients assessed the outcome. Significantly more patients thought Decubal was easier to apply (P < 0.001), more readily absorbed by the skin (P < 0.001), and had a better emollient effect (P < 0.05). In their overall assessment, significantly more patients preferred Decubal cream (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the patients' assessment of the scent of the cream or in the side effects.