Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of oral alitretinoin (9-cis-retinoic acid), 10 mg/d, 20 mg/d, and 40 mg/d, compared with placebo control, in the treatment of chronic hand dermatitis. Design: Multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-control, prospective trial. Setting: A total of 43 outpatient clinics in 10 European countries. Patients: Of 348 patients screened, 319 with moderate or severe refractory chronichanddermatitiswererandomized, in the ratioof1:1:1:1, to 4 treatment groups and received allocated intervention. Of 75 patients who withdrew, 24 withdrew owing to adverse events. Interventions: Placebo or 10 mg, 20 mg, or 40 mg of oral alitretinoin (9-cis-retinoic acid) taken once daily for 12 weeks. Safety was assessed for all patients during a follow-up period of 4 weeks, and responders were observed for a follow-up period of 3 months. Main Outcome Measure: Physician’s global assessment of overall chronic hand dermatitis severity. Results: Alitretinoin led to a significant and dose-dependent improvement in disease status, with responses in up to 53%of patients, and up to a 70%mean reduction in disease signs and symptoms. Treatment was generally well tolerated, with dose-dependent effects comprising headache, flushing, mucocutaneous events, hyperlipidemia, and decreased hemoglobin and decreased free thyroxin levels. Three months after discontinuation of treatment, the rate of relapse was 26%, independent of dose. Conclusion: Alitretinoin given at well-tolerated doses induced substantial clearing of chronic hand dermatitis in patients refractory to conventional therapy.
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