The Clinical Effect of Topical Diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP) Therapy in the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis in Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Background: Atopic dermatitis is the most common chronic skin disease in childhood. Severe atopic dermatitis may require use of topical or systemic corticosteroids. These treatments are prone to several adverse side effects. This paper highlights the impressive effect of diphenylcyclopropenone(DPCP) sensitization in some cases of childhood and adolescent atopic dermatitis. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of DPCP in treating severe atopic dermatitis of children and adolescents. Methods: Twenty eight patients, who had moderate to severe atopic dermatitis, were recruited in the treatment of DPCP weekly for 10 weeks and followed up for another 4 weeks. Severity of atopic dermatitis was measured using SCORAD index. Results: Sixteen of 28 patients had finished the treatment courses. After 10 weeks of therapy with DPCP, the patient's symptoms were improved and the mean SCORAD index was significantly reduced from 48.9±17.8 to 18.0±9.1 (p<0.01). During the follow-up period, patients could be managed by topical steroid and oral antihistamine and flare-up was not observed. Conclusion: According to our study, DPCP can be an effective, safe and well-tolerated therapy for moderate to severe atopic dermatitis in children and adolescents. We suggest that DPCP may be effective in the treatment of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis of children and adolescents without serious complications.