Efficacy of Topical Pimecrolimus in the Treatment of Pityriasis Alba

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Pityriasis alba (PA) is a common benign skin disorder, that usually affects children and adolescents of darker phototypes. A history of atopic dermatitis is a well-known risk factor, and PA may be a minor manifestation of atopic dermatitis, although it can occur in nonatopic individuals as well. The objective is to evaluate the effect of topical pimecrolimus in the treatment of treatment of PA

Detailed Description
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Background and Rationale: Pityriasis alba (PA) is a common benign skin disorder, that usually affects children and adolescents of darker phototypes. PA usually manifests as erythematous lesions followed by smooth scales with residual characteristic pruritic or non-pruritic ill-defined hypopigmented patches, that typically occur on the upper part of the body, especially the face. A history of atopic dermatitis is a well-known risk factor, and PA may be a minor manifestation of atopic dermatitis, although it can occur in nonatopic individuals as well. It is thought to represent nonspecific dermatitis with residual post-inflammatory hypopigmentation. Sun exposure is a triggering and accentuating factor. PA is a common reason for dermatologic consultation due to its chronic course, frequent relapses and cosmetic appearance. Spontaneous healing occurs in several months to few years, therefore impacting the quality of life. Emollients and mild-potency topical steroids are the mainstay of treatment, with a potential risk of skin atrophy and hypopigmentation. Pimecrolimus is a topical calcineurin inhibitor that prevents T-cell activation, approved for the treatment of atopic dermatitis, and proved efficacious for seborrheic dermatitis, without having the potential adverse effects of topical corticosteroids. Tacrolimus 0.1% ointment, another calcineurin inhibitor is an effective and safe treatment for PA, a similar efficacy of calcitriol and tacrolimus was shown after 9 weeks of treatment. An exploratory study evaluated the efficacy of pimecrolimus cream in the treatment of PA. To the best of our knowledge there is no randomized placebo-controlled trial in the literature proving the efficacy of pimecrolimus in PA. Objective: To evaluate the effect of topical pimecrolimus in the treatment of treatment of PA Hypothesis: Pimecrolimus is an efficacious, well-tolerated and safe treatment for pityriasis alba. Trial design: A randomized placebo-controlled double blinded trial establishing the superiority of topical pimecrolimus 1% over placebo.

Official Title
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Efficacy of Topical Pimecrolimus in the Treatment of Pityriasis Alba: A Randomized Placebo-controlled Trial

Conditions
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Pityriasis Alba

Intervention / Treatment
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* Drug: Elidel (pimecrolimus 1%)
* Drug: Cold Cream


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Pityriasis alba Patients confirmed by a board certified dermatologist Age over 2 years Written informed consent signed by the patients or the legal guardians of patients younger than 18 years in the native language (Arabic) Exclusion Criteria: Other concomitant dermatosis (except atopic dermatitis) Use of topical steroids, or topical agents other than emollients and sunscreen, in the last 4 weeks Known allergy to pimecrolimus Pregnant and nursing women

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 2 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Quadruple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Pim<br>20 patients receiving topical Elidel (pimecrolimus 1%) bid on the affected area for 9 weeks.Sunscreens will not be indicated, and hygienic habits will not be changed. | Drug: Elidel (pimecrolimus 1%)<br>* topical application of product on all lesions, twice daily. Sunscreen will not be indicated, and hygienic habits will not be changed<br>|
| Placebo Comparator: Pl<br>20 patients receiving placebo (control group), cold cream bid on the affected area for 9 weeks.Sunscreens will not be indicated, and hygienic habits will not be changed. | Drug: Cold Cream<br>* Topical application on all lesions, twice daily. Sunscreen will not be indicated, and hygienic habits will not be changed<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Percentage of repigmentation of index lesions | Objective percentage of repigmentation the index lesion (the largest lesion) by image analysis software (ImageJ software will be used to measure the lesion reduction area after treatments) | 9 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pruritus and scaling | IGA 4 point-scale (0: none - 3: severe) | 3,6 and 9 weeks | 
| Investigator's repigmentation change | Clinical change is assessed by means of digital photographic registration (frontal, right, and left views). An independent observer clinically graded the global improvement as poor (0-25%), mild (26-50%), good (51-75%), and excellent (>75%). | 3,6 and 9 weeks | 
| patient satisfaction | (0: not satisfied, 1: satisfied, 2: very satisfied). | 9 weeks | 
| Adverse events | adverse events reporting | 3,6 and 9 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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pityriasis alba, treatment, topical calcineurin inhibitor