RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a pseudoceramide-containing moisturizer as maintenance therapy in patients with mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis (AD). METHODS: This was a prospective, single-arm, open-label clinical trial of a twice-daily application of a pseudoceramide-containing moisturizer for 4 weeks as maintenance therapy in 40 patients with stable, mild-to-moderate AD in a tropical climate. Clinical and skin barrier assessment was done at week 0, week 2 and week 4. Any adverse effects were also recorded during the study period. RESULTS: The objective scoring atopic dermatitis decreased from 29.1 [interquartile range (IQR) 21.9-33.7] at week 0 to 22.0 (IQR 21.2-27.8) at week 4 (p < 0.001). There was no detectable difference in transepidermal water loss after 4 weeks; however, stratum corneum (SC) hydration was significantly increased from 39.7 (IQR 35.3-46.4) at week 0 to 49.2 (IQR 41.2-54.6) after 4 weeks (p < 0.001). Both Dermatology Life Quality Index and patient-oriented eczema measure showed significant improvement at week 4 (p < 0.001). The moisturizer was well tolerated with no serious adverse events recorded. CONCLUSION: After 4 weeks of barrier maintenance therapy with a pseudoceramide moisturizer, there was a significant improvement in disease severity, SC hydration and quality of life in both pediatric and adult patients with mild-to-moderate AD.
