The role of combination calcipotriol plus betamethasone dipropionate gel in the treatment of moderate-to-severe scalp seborrhoeic dermatitis

Abstract EN

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the off-label use of a combination calcipotriol plus betamethasone dipropionate (CBD) gel in the treatment of moderate-to-severe scalp seborrhoeic dermatitis (SSD).

Methods: This retrospective study involved 32 patients with SSD who were prescribed CBD gel at the Subang Jaya Medical Centre, Selangor, Malaysia, between January 2016 and December 2017.

The Physician Global Assessment Scale was used to assess disease severity.

Itching/discomfort was evaluated using a visual analogue scale.

Results: The mean age was 35.8 ± 6.9 years.

Severe disease was seen in 53.1%.

Complete clearance was recorded in 15.6%, 40.6% and 59.4% of patients at weeks two, six and 10, respectively.

By week 10, 87.5% had achieved marked improvement.

Both mean itching and discomfort scores significantly improved at weeks two, six and 10 (P <0.001).

Better outcomes were significantly associated with disease duration and itching intensity and discomfort at presentation (P <0.050).

Conclusion: CBD gel should be considered as an option for SSD cases not adequately controlled by prior conventional treatment.