A COMPARATIVE, MULTICENTER, DOUBLE-BLIND TRIAL OF 0.05-PERCENT HALOBETASOL PROPIONATE OINTMENT AND 0.1-PERCENT BETAMETHASONE VALERATE OINTMENT IN THE TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC, LOCALIZED PLAQUE PSORIASIS

In a double-blind, parallel-group, multicenter comparative trial in 84 evaluable patients with severe, localized plaque psoriasis, 0.05% halobetasol propionate ointment proved significantly superior (p = 0.02) to 0.1% betamethasone valerate ointment with respect to the success rate, as indicated by ratings of "healed" or "marked improvement" (88.1% versus 64.3%). The therapeutic effect was observed within 5 days of the start of treatment in 76% and 67% of the patients treated with halobetasol propionate and betamethasone valerate ointments, respectively. Both preparations were well tolerated. Minor adverse effects at the site of application were reported in only 2% of the patients in each treatment group. Neither skin atrophy nor systemic adverse effects were observed.