The efficacy of azithromycin in pityriasis rosea: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol
;
2014 Jan-Feb; 80(1): 36-40
Article
in English
| IMSEAR
| ID: sea-154742
ABSTRACT
Background:
Macrolides are prescribed in the treatment of pityriasis rosea despite conflicting results of the limited number of studies evaluating their role in its treatment.Aim:
A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of azithromycin on the clinical course of pityriasis rosea.Methods:
Seventy patients of pityriasis rosea were given either azithromycin (n = 35) or placebo (n = 35) and were followed-up at 2, 4 and 6 weeks. Pruritus was assessed in both groups using the visual analogue scale (VAS) . Change in the pityriasis rosea severity score (PRSS) and in the VAS were recorded as outcome measures and were compared statistically.Results:
The decrease in PRSS from baseline through 2, 4 and 6 weeks within both treatment (P < 0.001) and placebo (P < 0.001) arms was found to be statistically significant; however, this change was not significantly different in the two groups (P = 0.179). Similarly, the decrease in VAS was found to be statistically significant within both groups (P < 0.001); however, the change was comparable between the two groups (P < 0.937). Analysis by Fisher's exact test did not find a significant difference between the two groups for PRSS and VAS.Conclusion:
Azithromycin is not effective in pityriasis rosea and the use of macrolides for this disease should not be encouraged in clinical practice.
Full text:
Available
Index:
IMSEAR (South-East Asia)
Main subject:
Placebos
/
Severity of Illness Index
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Double-Blind Method
/
Pityriasis Rosea
/
Azithromycin
/
Visual Analog Scale
Type of study:
Controlled clinical trial
Language:
English
Journal:
Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol
Year:
2014
Type:
Article
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