Effect of topical corticosteroid application frequency on histamine-induced wheals

Topical corticosteroids for hives and itch (urticaria): Systematic review and Bayesian meta-analysis of randomized trials

BACKGROUND

Topical corticosteroids are widely used as a treatment for itch and wheals (urticaria), but their benefits and harms are unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically synthesize the benefits and harms of topical corticosteroids for the treatment of urticaria.

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL from database inception to March 23, 2024, for randomized trials comparing topical corticosteroids with placebo for patients with urticaria (either chronic spontaneous or inducible urticaria or acute urticaria elicited from skin/intradermal allergy testing). Paired reviewers independently screened records, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. Random-effects meta-analyses addressed urticaria severity, itch severity (numeric rating scale; range 0-10; higher is worse), and adverse events. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach informed certainty of evidence ratings. PROSPERO registration: CRD42023455182.

RESULTS

A total of 19 randomized controlled trials enrolled 379 participants with a median of mean age of 30.1 (range 21.1-44.0) years. Compared with placebo, topical corticosteroids may reduce wheal size (ratio of means 0.47, 95% CI 0.38-0.59; low certainty) and itch severity (mean difference -1.30, 95% CI -5.07 to 2.46; very low certainty). Topical corticosteroids result in little to no difference in overall adverse events (94 fewer patients per 1000, 95% credible intervals 172 fewer to 12 more; high certainty).

CONCLUSION

Compared with placebo, topical corticosteroids may result in a reduction of wheal size and little to no difference in overall adverse events. Topical corticosteroids may reduce itch severity, but the evidence is very uncertain. Future large, randomized trials addressing the use of topical corticosteroids would further support optimal urticaria management.

Effect of Topical Steroids on Skin Prick Test: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction

Topically applied corticosteroids on the skin can significantly inhibit the wheal response to allergens in skin prick test (SPT). The duration of this effect is unknown. The aim of this study is to investigate the duration of the inhibitory effect of topical corticosteroids on SPT.

Methods

Twenty-two healthy subjects were included in a single-blinded randomized study. All subjects were skin prick tested using a standard inhalant allergen panel. The subjects were randomized to treat either the left or right forearm with Betnovat^® cream (group III steroid) once a day for 10 days. Subsequently, the subjects were skin prick tested the following 5 days and at day 8 on both forearms.

Results

At baseline, the 22 individuals had positive SPT for a total of 72 allergens. Compared with the untreated arm, the mean size of the wheals was significantly reduced on day 1 (12 h after end of treatment) by 0.56 mm (95 % confidence interval (CI) [0.06; 1.06], p = 0.03) for allergens and 0.70 mm [0.32; 1.09] (p = 0.001) for histamine. On day 2 (36 h after end of treatment), the mean difference between treated and untreated arm was 0.47 mm [−0.08; 0.85] (p = 0.02) for allergen-induced wheals and 0.22 mm [−0.21; 0.64] (p = 0.31) for histamine-induced wheal. On day 3, 4, 5, and 8, there was no significant difference.

Conclusions

Treatment with topical steroid significantly inhibited the response to SPT for 36 h but for less than 3 days. In addition, we demonstrated that topical applied corticosteroids inhibit the mean wheal size of the positive histamine control for a shorter time than for the allergens. Consequently, positive response to histamine control is not a valid marker for reliable skin prick test in steroid-treated patients.

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International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Allergic Rhinitis

BACKGROUND

Critical examination of the quality and validity of available allergic rhinitis (AR) literature is necessary to improve understanding and to appropriately translate this knowledge to clinical care of the AR patient. To evaluate the existing AR literature, international multidisciplinary experts with an interest in AR have produced the International Consensus statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Allergic Rhinitis (ICAR:AR).

METHODS

Using previously described methodology, specific topics were developed relating to AR. Each topic was assigned a literature review, evidence-based review (EBR), or evidence-based review with recommendations (EBRR) format as dictated by available evidence and purpose within the ICAR:AR document. Following iterative reviews of each topic, the ICAR:AR document was synthesized and reviewed by all authors for consensus.

RESULTS

The ICAR:AR document addresses over 100 individual topics related to AR, including diagnosis, pathophysiology, epidemiology, disease burden, risk factors for the development of AR, allergy testing modalities, treatment, and other conditions/comorbidities associated with AR.

CONCLUSION

This critical review of the AR literature has identified several strengths; providers can be confident that treatment decisions are supported by rigorous studies. However, there are also substantial gaps in the AR literature. These knowledge gaps should be viewed as opportunities for improvement, as often the things that we teach and the medicine that we practice are not based on the best quality evidence. This document aims to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the AR literature to identify areas for future AR research and improved understanding.

A comparative clinical evaluation of once daily versus alternate day application of topical clobetasol propionate cream in psoriasis

BACKGROUND

Corticosteroids are extremely useful in the treatment of inflammatory skin disorders. Topical steroid applications are the most effective treatment for all types of psoriasis.

AIMS

To compare the efficacy of once daily versus alternate day application of topical steroid clobetasol propionate 0.05% (Tenovate cream®) in patients who have mild to moderate plaque psoriasis.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

This study was conducted on 89 patients of plaque psoriasis, who attended the skin OPD in our hospital.

METHODS AND MATERIAL

The patients who had a mild to moderate severity of plaque psoriasis were selected. Those patients who required systemic corticosteroids, those who were already undergoing any psoriasis treatment, those who had any other debilitating illness and pregnant and lactating women were excluded from the study. Eighty nine patients were enrolled for the study after taking written informed consent from them and they were randomly allocated into two groups. Two patients dropped out, one in each group and 1 of group 2 was prescribed systemic corticosteroids.Group 1- once daily application (n= 44)Group 2- alternate day application (n= 42)An objective scoring was done on the basis of the PSI (Psoriasis Severity Index) score, which was graded from 0-4. Follow ups were done in the 2nd, 4th and 6th weeks.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

It was done by the Student's 't' test and ANOVA.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

The results showed that there was equal improvement in both the groups in the 2nd week, since the p-value was not significant (P> 0.05), but in the 4th and 6th weeks, there was less improvement in the alternate day group (P< 0.05). An intra group comparison indicated that clobetasol was effective both in the once daily and the alternate day groups, but clinical and symptomatic improvement occurred more quickly in the once daily group after 6 weeks of assessment. Thus, it can be concluded that the alternate day application of the topical steroid clobetasol propionate cream is as effective as the once daily application in the initial 2 weeks, but by 6 weeks, its efficacy decreases. Therefore, initially, we can advocate a less frequent application of potent topical steroids but for the complete remission of the disease, the application frequency should be once daily.

Parthenium the terminator: An update

Parthenium dermatitis is a distressing dermatitis caused by the air borne allergen of the Compositae weed Parthenium hysterophorus. Uncommon presentations, newer insights in pathogenesis and management of this "scourge" are discussed in this article.

Glucocorticosteroids in football: use and misuse

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Glucocorticosteroids are widely used in medicine and have shown unchallenged therapeutic potential in several chronic inflammatory and other diseases. They are also widely used in sports medicine for the treatment of conditions such as asthma and acute injuries. In fact, as banned substances, most requests for therapeutic use exemption concern glucocorticosteroids. Nevertheless, their beneficial effect in certain conditions in sports, where inflammation is only a secondary reaction, remains to be validated. This paper aimed to provide a comprehensive review of the literature covering the therapeutic use of glucocorticosteroids since 1977 in conditions ranging from chronic rheumatic illness to peritendinous or intra-articular injection in acute injuries.

METHODS

Search of the medical literature published between 1977 and 2006 using PubMed. Articles relevant to the question "When and if at all is the use of glucocorticosteroids justified in football?" were selected and analysed.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

The findings clearly point out that, despite the common use of glucocorticosteroids in acute injuries in sports, there is actually limited evidence of the true benefits of such a practice. Physicians must take the possible adverse effects into consideration. In an athlete with clinically verified asthma, inhalational glucocorticosteroids remain first line therapy. Finally, for the purposes of education and prevention of misuse, it should be stressed that a measurable performance enhancing effect of glucocorticoids could not be proved on the basis of the results of the scientific studies to date.