Evaluation of efficacy of intralesional glucocorticoid injection with a needle-free injector for the treatment of keloid / 中华皮肤科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To compare the efficacy of intralesional glucocorticoid injection with a needle-free injector versus an ordinary injector for the treatment of keloid. Methods A total of 60 patients with keloid were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups by using a random number table to receive intralesional injection of compound betamethasone with a needle-free injector(n=31)or an ordinary injector(n=29). The injection was given at a dose of 0.2 ml/cm3 once every 3 weeks for 3 sessions. Parameters for therapeutic efficacy were assessed, adverse reactions were recorded, and clinical pictures were taken before and after each treatment. Statistical analysis was carried out by the Mann-Whitney U test and chi-square test with the SPSS 19.0 software. Results Compared with the ordinary injector group, the needle-free injector group showed significantly different injection time during the first and second treatment (U=299.000, 773.500, respectively, both P=0.000), as well as duration of pain after the first injection(U=730.000, P=0.003). After three sessions of treatment, there was a significant difference in the volume, height, hardness of keloid, scores for pain, itching and appearance, and number of injection points between the needle-free injector group and ordinary injector group (U=295.000, 336.500, 264.000, 464.000, 451.500, 308.000, 233.500, P=0.001, 0.007, 0.000, 0.041, 0.043, 0.003, 0.001, respectively). No significant differences were observed in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups(all P>0.05). Moreover, the interval for lesion recurrence was significantly shorter in the needle-free injector group(11.8 days, 95%CI10.96-12.6 days)than in the ordinary injector group(21.2 days, 95%CI13.96-28.45 days). Conclusion Compared with the ordinary injector, the needle-free injector shows better efficiency for the treatment of keloid with decreased difficulty in injection and improved compliance in patients.