A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE EFFICACY OF TOPICAL STEROID VS TOPICAL DIMETHYLSULFOXIDE 70% IN TREATMENT OF CUTANEOUS MACULAR AMYLOIDOSIS

Abstract

Background: Amyloidosis refers to extracellular deposition of insoluble abnormal brils derived from aggregation of misfolded proteins. Specic aetiology unknown, cutaneous amyloidosis is considered to be multifactorial in origin and treatment remains a therapeutic challenge. Aims and objectives: To compare the efcacy of topical steroid and topical dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) 70% in cutaneous macular amyloidosis in relation to –1. Improvement in pruritus and pigmentation. 2 .Adverse events if any. Material and methods: study was done in outpatient department of skin till the desired sample size was achieved. A total of 60 cases were enrolled as per inclusion criteria .The cases were diagnosed clinically and conrmed histologically. Statistical analyses: Categorical variables were assessed by using Chi square test. Results: Complete remission of pruritus was seen in 44 patients (78.57%) with DMSO 70% and 48 patients (85.71%) with steroid. 19 patients (33.92%) with DMSO 70% and 24 patients (42.85%) with steroids showed grade II improvement in pigmentation at the end of 3 months. The value was statistically insignicant (p value>0.05). topical steroid and DMSO showed comparable efcacy on Conclusion: pruritus and pigmentation improvement. For itch control, steroids can be used for short periods and DMSO appeared to be safe for long term. Both drugs proved to be unsatisfactory for cosmetic purpose.