Treatment of psoriasis vulgaris with topical calcipotriol has no short-term effect on calcium or bone metabolism. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

• Published in: Acta dermato-venereologica Vol. 73; no. 4; pp. 300 - 304
• Main Authors: Mortensen, L, Kragballe, K, Wegmann, E, Schifter, S, Risteli, J, Charles, P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sweden 01.08.1993
• Subjects: Administration, Cutaneous; Adult; Aged; Bone and Bones - drug effects; Bone and Bones - metabolism; Calcitriol - analogs & derivatives; Calcitriol - pharmacology; Calcitriol - therapeutic use; Calcium - metabolism; Dermatologic Agents - pharmacology; Dermatologic Agents - therapeutic use; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Ointments; Psoriasis - drug therapy; Psoriasis - metabolism; Severity of Illness Index; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0001-5555; 1651-2057
• DOI: 10.2340/000155557296299

The purpose of this double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to examine whether the vitamin D analogue calcipotriol, topically applied to psoriatic skin lesions, had any effect on calcium or bone metabolism. Thirty-four outpatients with psoriasis vulgaris were randomized to treatment with either calcipotriol ointment (50 micrograms/g) or vehicle ointment twice daily for 3 weeks. The patients were put on a calcium energy fixed diet and examined once weekly. The mean amount of calcipotriol ointment used was 40.3 g/week (range 8.2-95.4 g/week). The results of biochemical markers on calcium and bone metabolism showed no significant differences between the two groups. No correlation was found between the amount of ointment used and changes in parameters on calcium and bone metabolism during the 3-week treatment. It is concluded that calcipotriol ointment (50 micrograms/g), applied in doses of 8.2-95.4 g/week for 3 weeks to psoriatic skin lesions, has no effect on calcium or bone metabolism.