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Comparative efficacy of thalidomide and prednisolone in the treatment of moderate to severe erythema nodosum leprosum: a randomized study.

Author(s): Kaur I, Dogra S, Narang T, De D

Affiliation(s): Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.

Publication date & source: 2009-08, Australas J Dermatol., 50(3):181-5.

Publication type: Comparative Study; Randomized Controlled Trial

The present study was undertaken to compare the efficacy and safety of thalidomide to that of oral prednisolone in the treatment of moderate to severe type 2 lepra reaction. Sixty patients with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of erythema nodosum leprosum with a clinical score of 4 or more (i.e. moderate to severe type 2 reaction) were randomly allocated to two groups comprising 30 patients each. Group 1 patients were given thalidomide at a dose of 300 mg/day for 1 week and the dose was gradually reduced, and Group 2 received prednisolone 40 mg daily for 2 weeks, which was tapered by 10 mg every 2 weeks. Thalidomide induced a faster clinical response (cutaneous as well as systemic) compared with prednisolone. Patients taking thalidomide had fewer relapses and a longer period of remission than those receiving prednisolone.

Page last updated: 2010-10-05

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