Treatment of perniosis with oral pentoxyfylline in comparison with oral prednisolone plus topical clobetasol ointment in Iraqi patients

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of pentoxyfylline in treatment of perniosis in comparison with prednisolone plus topical clobetasol ointment.

METHODS: This is an open comparative therapeutic trial conducted in the Department of Dermatology, Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq between January and March 2008. Forty patients with perniosis were enrolled in this study, and divided randomly into 2 equal groups, according to the sort of treatment. Group A comprised patients who received oral prednisolone 0.5 mg/kg in 2 divided doses, and topical clobetasol ointment for 2 weeks. Group B comprised patients who received pentoxyfylline tablet 1200 mg/day in 3 divided doses for 2 weeks. Detailed history and full clinical examination were carried out for each case, regarding all relevant points related to the disease.

RESULTS: The age of patients ranged from 5-60 mean±SD 22±6.2 years, with 31 females and 9 males with a female to male ratio of 3.5:1. All patients did not receive any treatment before the study. In group A, 11 patients completed the treatment course, and only 3 27.2% patients showed good improvement and complete cure after 2 weeks. In group B, 9 patients completed the regime, and 5 55.5% patients showed good improvement, in which symptoms disappeared and lesions resolved after 2 weeks.

CONCLUSION: Pentoxyfylline was shown to be an effective and safe drug for treatment of perniosis, and superior to oral plus topical glucocorticoids p<0.05.