Oral ivermectin vs topical permethrin 5 % cream in the treatment of scabies : a randomized clinical trial

الملخص EN

Background and Objective: Scabies is a common health problem in Duhok; with a considerable burden on patients, families, communities and the health system.

Currently, different types of treatments are available, oral and topical.The study aims to compare the efficacy of oral ivermectin versus topical permethrin 5% cream in treating scabies.

Patients and Methods: A randomized control clinical trial was conducted in the dermatology outpatient clinic at Azadi General Teaching hospital in Duhok city, between April 2014 and August 2014.

A total of 100 patients clinically diagnosed with scabies were divided randomly into two groups.

The first group received topical 5% permethrin cream while the second group received 200 micrograms/kg oral ivermectin.

The two groups were followed up for one week and those who did not achieve cure were given a second dose of either treatment and their clinical status was evaluated after two weeks.

Results: A total of 16 patients were excluded(8 from each group) during the course of the study because they did not show up during the follow up or received another treatment for scabies.

The mean age of patients was 29.4 years.

Treatment of patients with oral ivermectin resulted in curing 50% of patients, while only 42.9% of patients were cured by using topical permethrin after one week following a single dose of either treatment.

The overall cure rate increased after a second dose for uncued cases to 95% with oral ivermectin and 88.1% with topical permethrin; after another two weeks of follow up.

However, those differences were statistically not significant.

Conclusion: The study concluded that oral ivermectin was as effective as topical permethrin cream in the treatment of scabies.