Topical therapy of xeroderma pigmentosa with 20% zinc sulfate solution

ABSTRACT

Xeroderma pigmentosa although it is autosomal recessive disease but it is not uncommon problem in a certain regions in Iraq. It is always associated with well known complications of the disease like malignancies and blindness. Zinc sulfate has been successfully used in treatment of basal cell carcinoma in a form of intralesional injection and topical solution. To evaluate the effectiveness of topical 20% zinc sulfate solution as a therapeutic and prophylactic agent in patients with xeroderma pigmentosa. This single blind therapeutic trial was done in the Department of Dermatology and Venereology-Baghdad Teaching Hospital during the period from April 2004 to April 2005. Nineteen patients with typical features of xeroderma pigmentosa enrolled in this work. Full history and clinical examination were done for each patient regarding all points related to the disease. They were treated with topical 20% topical zinc sulfate solution and follow up was carried out for 4 months to 2 years. Nineteen patients with xeroderma pigmentosa were evaluated after treated with 20% topical zinc sulfate solution. Four patients were defaulted during follow up for unknown reason. The remaining were 15 patients [11 males and 4 females]. Their ages ranged from 4-50 years with a mean +/- SD of 18 +/- 17 years. Monthly follow up showed improvement in all types of skin lesions including softening and lightening of the skin color, and clearance of solar keratosis and small malignancies. These were observed in the early course of therapy. This study showed that topical therapy with zinc sulfate solution had both therapeutic and prophylactic role in patients with xeroderma pigmentosa .We think that zinc sulfate is going to have a major role in management of this disease