A Trial of Clobetasol Propionate Versus Hydrocortisone in Children With Alopecia Areata

Summary

The use of topical steroids in the treatment of alopecia areata in children is common practice. However, no particular potency of steroid is accepted as the standard treatment due to the paucity of high quality evidence in the dermatology literature to substantiate their use. Two randomized controlled trials exist assessing topical steroid efficacy in this disorder, both have methodological limitations. The question remains as to which topical steroid is safe and efficacious for use. We performed a double blinded controlled trial to assess the usefulness of a class 1 topical steroid (clobestasol proprionate 0.05%) compared with a class 7 topical steroid (hydrocortisone 1%) in children with alopecia areata.

Timeline

Start

2002-08

Primary completion

2003-08

Completion

2003-08

Outcome

Met primary endpoint

paper the clobetasol group had a statistically significant (P < .001) greater decrease in the surface area with hair loss PMID 24226568 ↗

Publications

• Lenane P, Macarthur C, Parkin PC, Krafchik B, DeGroot J, Khambalia A, Pope E. Clobetasol propionate, 0.05%, vs hydrocortisone, 1%, for alopecia areata in children: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Dermatol. 2014 Jan;150(1):47-50. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2013.5764.

Drugs

Indications