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SELECTED ARTICLES FROM THE RECENT LITERATURE 2006
9/20/06
Topical fluticasone treatment of atopic dermatitis does not cause suppression of the HPA axis
Summary
Background – Topical corticosteroid (CS) therapy (creams, ointments, lotions) is used commonly in the therapy of atopic dermatitis. However, there are concerns about local and systemic adverse effects of chronic topical CS treatment of AD because of prominent absorption of these agents through the broken skin barrier in AD.
Findings – Hebert et al of multiple institutions carried out an open label study of the effects of fluticasone propionate (FP), 0.05% lotion, applied extensively to the skin of 44 children (ages 3 -71 months) with moderate to severe AD. After this time period, there was no suppression of the HPA axis in these children when compared to baseline patterns. Responses to cosyntropin stimulation were within normal limits. There was no skin thinning induced by the FP treatment.
Reference
J Pediatr 2006;149:378-382
Editor's Comments
These findings, although obtained in an open label uncontrolled study, are encouraging. One would like to know findings after FP therapy for longer than 4 weeks. It would be of interest to know the effects of topical application of other “soft” CS in AD.
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