Multicenter Trial for Long-Term Safety and Efficacy Comparison of 0.05% Desonide and 1% Hydrocortisone Ointments in the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis in Pediatric Patients

BACKGROUND:Desonide, a class 6 nonfluorinated topical corticosteroid, has been available for more than two decades. Hydrocortisone is widely used in the treatment of dermatoses in children.OBJECTIVE:Our purpose was to compare the safety and efficacy of desonide ointment and 1.0% hydrocortisone ointment in children with atopic dermatitis.METHODS:One hundred thirteen children (mean age, 4.8 years) with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis were enrolled in a multicenter, randomized, investigator-masked, parallel-group study. Treatments were applied twice daily for 5 weeks and extended to 6 months in 36 of the patients. Signs of atrophy were evaluated. Efficacy was determined by measuring global improvement, erythema, lichenification, excoriations, oozing or crusting, pruritus, and induration.RESULTS:No differences in safety were observed between hydrocortisone and desonide. The investigator's global assessment of improvement significantly favored desonide over hydrocortisone during 3 months of treatment (p < 0.05).CONCLUSION:Desonide ointment showed greater efficacy, produced more rapid improvement, and demonstrated an equivalent cutaneous safety profile when compared with 1% hydrocortisone ointment for up to 6 months.