Comparing Efficacy of Topical Steroid Cream vs. Ointment Formulations Using Wet Dressings for Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis
Phase: PHASE4
Conditions: Dermatitis, Atopic
Sponsor: Seton Healthcare Family

 
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Project Title: 
Comparing Efficacy of Topical Steroids in Cream vs Ointment Formulations Using Wet Dressings for the 
Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis 
Principal Investigator 
Lucia Diaz, MD, - Pediatric and Adolescent Dermatology 
1301 Barbara Jordan Blvd, Suite 200F, Austin TX, 78723 Phone: 512-628-1920 
 
Co-Investigators: 
Moise Levy, MD - Seton 
Collin Hovinga, PharmD, MS, FCCP - Seton 
Katherine Sebastian, RN, MPH - Seton 
 
Grant Information: 
IRB Approval:  This project is not currently IRB approved 
Proposed Starting Date of Research:  February/March 2016 
Anticipated Date of Completion: August/September 2016 
Timeline of activities:  Estimate 2-3 months for IRB approval.  Once approved the study will likely take 2-
3 months, possibly sooner given the volume of patients with atopic flares (especially during winter 
months) seen at the pediatric dermatology clinic.  After data collection, 1-2 months will be required for 
statistical analysis.  Overall, we project to have research completed and data analyzed by 
August/September of 2016 
Overall goals and background 
Atopic Dermatitis (AD) is a common skin condition affecting 10-20% of children in the United States. 
Atopic dermatitis is associated with chronic pruritus and inflammation leading to significant discomfort, 
stress and social stigma.  Wet wraps (corticosteroid contained in a vehicle wrapped in wet dressings) 
have been used for many years and are an effective means of improving moderate to severe atopic 
dermatitis.  A wet wrap’s efficacy is a product of a corticosteroid’s activity at the site of action, as well as 
patient compliance.  Wet wraps can be messy and difficult to use for patients and families and has been 
associated with variable adherence.  Interestingly, little research has been done regarding wet wrap 
comparable efficacy and patient tolerability.  Recent studies have shown that wet wraps with topical 
steroids are superior to emollients alone.  However, there are no studies comparing different vehicles 
for topical steroids when used for this treatment.   
The purpose of this study is to 
1. Compare efficacy of 0.1% triamcinolone containing wet wrap as an ointment or as a 
cream formulation in patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis 

 
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2. The relative patient/subject acceptance and adherence will also be compared between 
the two wet wrap types 
  
Hypothesis 
Significant controversy exists on the optimal vehicle for wet wraps.  Some advocate for cream (oil in 
water) formulations because they are hydrophilic and therefore may be absorbed better in the aqueous 
environment of a wet dressing.  Others prefer ointments (water in oil) because they are more potent 
than creams.  We hypothesize that the overall difference will be negligible and that patient preference 
should be the largest factor in deciding which to use.  Many patients prefer creams because they are 
lighter and more elegant while others prefer the thickness of ointments.   
Methodology and Rationale 
Inclusion Criteria 
1. Patients between the ages of 3-17 experiencing a symmetric, bilateral flare of atopic 
dermatitis 
2. The flares must reach a certain threshold for inclusion based on the investigator’s global 
assessment scale  
Exclusion Criteria 
1. Systemic infection or bacterial skin infections 
2. Eczema herpeticum 
3. Evidence of suppression of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis 
4. Non-English or Non-Spanish speaking  
Methods 
Patients and/or parents will be asked to sign an informed consent authorizing their participation in the 
study.  All information will be de-identified to protect the patient’s privacy. 
In this study, we will examine the effectiveness of wet wraps with topical steroids in different 
formulations for patients with a history of atopic dermatitis who are experiencing an acute flare.  A 
validated clinical tool such Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) will be used in order to assess severity 
of the condition as well as demonstrate the appropriateness of using wet wrap therapy as a treatment 
modality.  IGA will measure intensity of the atopic dermatitis regarding erythema, lichenification, 
swelling and excoriation as well as subjective symptoms of the patient on a numeric scale.   The treating 
clinician will be asked to rate their assessment before and after therapy.  
Patients will be asked to apply a topical steroid in a cream formulation to one extremity and then apply 
the same topical steroid in an ointment formulation to the other using the wet wrap technique.  One of 
the investigators or nursing staff will provide detailed instructions to the patient and parents on how to 
perform the wet dressing (this is already routinely done for patients initiating wet wrap therapy in the 
pediatric dermatology clinic).  Patients will also be given a sealed and coded envelope containing 

 
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instructions to apply one steroid formulation to the right extremity and the other to the left.  In this 
manner the providers will be blinded to treatment modality during the follow-up visit.  Only the 
research coordinator will have access to the envelope code key.  An additional handout will also be 
provided to reinforce appropriate treatment technique.  After several days (3-5) the patient will return 
to the dermatology clinic for a nurse visit and evaluation of any improvement of the affected areas as 
well as comparison of improvement of the right and left extremities.  The physician investigator will 
examine the patient and measure improvement using the IGA.  Detailed photos of the affected areas 
will also be taken.  After a certain number of patients have enrolled in the study and completed it, the 
de-identified data will be examined by a statistician for comparison.    Other studies evaluating the 
effectiveness of wet wraps have commonly had 40-50 patients enrolled which will likely be the target of 
this study.  The statistician will compare the IGA before and after treatment on each side to allow for 
interpretation of the data.   Stratification of data may include ages and/or severity (moderate vs severe).     
Patient Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM) and/or a Quality of Life (QoL) index will also be provided 
before and after treatment in order to determine the patient’s point of view regarding their 
management using validated tools.  They will also be asked their opinion regarding if one side was better 
controlled than the other, if at all, as well as their personal preference for treatment of choice.   
Compliance will be determined by weighing the medication before and after each visit and a medication 
calendar. 
The participating clinicians, including myself, will be performing the IGA before and after treatment.  I 
will also be responsible for data collection as well as help with statistical analysis under the mentorship 
of Collin Hovinga and possibly a statistician if needed.   
Relevance to Professional Career 
The dermatology service recently had an inpatient with erythroderma who was not responding to 
topical steroids used with wet dressings.   In our discussion during grand rounds, someone suggested 
that switching from a cream to ointment may help.  We did a quick literature search and could not find 
any relevant insight.  Given that atopic dermatitis makes up a significant portion of the diseases in 
pediatric patients seen by dermatologists, I would like to elucidate whether one formulation is superior 
to another for this often used treatment.  Although I have no research experience with topical steroids 
or eczema, I have conducted dermatologic research through surveys in the past.  I hope the information 
acquired from this study will fill the knowledge gap that currently exists and will provide an opportunity 
to improve patient care.  If there is truly no clinical difference between topical steroid creams and 
ointments used in wet wraps, then patient preference will play the largest role in deciding which to use.  
One of my professional goals is to continue to be involved in research and this experience will help me 
to build a foundation for future investigations.   
 
 

 
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Bibliography 
Krakowski AC et al.  Management of atopic dermatitis in the pediatric population.  Pediatrics 2008; 
122:812-24. PMID: 18829806 
Janmohamed SR et al.  The proactive wet-wrap method with diluted corticosteroids versus emollients in 
children with atopic dermatitis: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.  J Am 
Acad Dermatol. 2014 Jun;70(6):1076-82.  PMID: 24698702. 
Devillers AC et al.  Efficacy and safety of wet-wrap dressings an as intervention treatment in children 
with severe and/or refractory atopic dermatitis: a critical review of the literature.  Br J Dermatol 2006; 
154:579-85.  PMID: 16536797. 
Bingham L et al Wet dressings used with topical corticosteroids for pruritic dermatoses: A retrospective 
study.  J Am Acad Dermatol. 2009 May;60(5):792-800.  PMID: 19389521. 
Oranje AP et al.  Treatment of patients with atopic dermatitis using wet-wrap dressings with diluted 
steroids and/or emollients: an expert panel’s opinion and review of the literature. J Eur Acad Dermatol 
Venereol 2006; 20:1277-86.  PMID: 17062046. 
Charman Cr et al.  The patient-oriented eczema measure: development and initial validation of a new 
tool for measuring atopic eczema severity from the patients’ perspective.  Arch Dermatol 2004; 140:104-
10.  PMID: 15611432.   
Budget 
There are 2 major barriers to carrying out this project.  First, the funds needed to pay for the 
prescription topical steroids.  Although many, if not all, of our patients will be insured, it is unlikely their 
insurance will pay for 2 formulations of the same topical steroid for 1 patient.  Given that a significant 
portion of patients who present to the pediatric dermatology clinic qualify for Medicaid, the cost of the 
extra topical medicine may be too much to cover for them.  We would like to cover one or both of the 
medications for the patient.  We estimate this could cost $30-50 per patient ($50 x 50 patients= $2500).  
Second, considering how difficult it can be for patients, especially with small children, to make return 
visits to the clinic, we would like to provide a small compensation for their participation.  A gift card in 
the amount of $50 ($25 x 50 patients= $1250) is the goal.  Hopefully, this will encourage our patients to 
keep their follow up visit.   Because we are working with English and Spanish speaking patients, we will 
need all forms, questionnaires and consents officially translated into Spanish by the translating service.  
The expected cost would be about $400.  We will also need funds to pay for statistical analysis as well as 
publication of data (posters etc).  Our estimated costs would be around $4800.  Should we exceed 
receive the grant and our budget exceeds $4800, there may be some departmental funding available to 
meet those extra costs.