ABSTRACT
Objective: Comparison of efficacy of combination comprising 2 percent ketoconazole solution wash plus topical 1 percent clotrimazole versus topical 1 percent clotrimazole alone in management of patients with Pityriasis versicolor
Study Design: Randomized controlled trial
Place and Duration of Study: Dermatology department, Pak Emirates Military Hospital Rawalpindi, from Oct 2016 to Apr 2017
Material and Methods: Sixty patients of Pityriasis versicolor, both male and female were included in study. Diagnosis of Pityriasis versicolor was made clinically and confirmed microscopically by examining skin scrapings for fungal hyphae. Patients with concomitant systemic illnesses or those who had received anti-fungal in last three months were excluded from study. Random number tables were used to allocate patients to the two treatment groups. Group A received 2 percent ketoconazole shampoo twice per week for four weeks plus topical 1 percent clotrimazole twice daily application for 2 weeks. Group B received only topical therapy with 1 percent clotrimazole cream applied twice daily for 2 weeks. Assessment of treatment efficacy was done by clinical examination of patient and microscopy of skin scrapping for fungal hyphaedone at baseline and at end of study [4 weeks of treatment]. A negative clinical examination and negative skin scrapping for fungal hyphae was considered effective therapeutic response
Results: In group A, the mean age of patients was 29.76 +/- 8.89 years and in group B was 27.67 +/- 10.46 years. Efficacy in group A was observed in 22 [73.33 percent] patients while in group B in 14 [46.67 percent] patients
Conclusion: Combination of 2 percent ketoconazole solution wash plus topical 1 percent clotrimazole was found more effective in treatment of patients with Pityriasis versicolor as compared totopical 1 percent clotrimazole alone