Efficacy, safety and tolerability of mometasone fuorate 0.1% ointment in chronic eczema

Introduction Eczema covers a wide range of skin problems, which trouble people at different stages of their lives. Mometasone furoate has been reported to be an effective vasoconstrictive agent on human skin. Objective To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy, safety and tolerability of mometasone furoate ointment 0.1% in chronic eczema following a four-week course of therapy and to record the main events in the cascade of eczema. Patients and methods This quasi-experimental, multi-center study was conducted in four cities of Pakistan (Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and Peshawar) from December, 2005 to February, 2006. A total 180 patients aged ≥ 24 months of either sex with chronic eczema without secondary infection were recruited while pregnancy, known hypersensitivity to corticosteroids, presence of skin atrophy, those on systemic steroids within 28 days were excluded. Patients were instructed to apply a thin layer of ointment once daily. Tubes of mometasone furoate ointment were dispensed to the patients on days 1, 8 and 15 of the study. Patients were asked to return the used tubes at the next weekly follow-up visit. SPSS-13.0 was used for statistical analysis. Friedman test was applied to compare the significance of clinical outcome, relief in signs/symptoms and patient’s comfort at p<0.05. Results On first follow up 8 days after treatment, significant majority (77%) showed improvement and in 7 (4%) patients fully resolved. After 15 days, 75% showed improvement and resolved in 19% patients. After 21 days of treatment, improvement was seen in 32% and 55% had resolved. Efficacy in terms of relief in signs and symptoms on last follow up >21 days after treatment revealed significant resolution of signs and symptoms (p<0.001). The cumulative level of comfort on various follow up visits was found significant (p<0.001). Conclusion Mometasone furoate ointment is significantly effective in relief in sign and symptoms and provides a high level of comfort after the treatment of chronic eczema.