Stephanie K. Thomas, MD

Evidence summary

A 2013 meta-analysis of 26 RCTs with 8020 patients evaluated topical treatments for scalp psoriasis as part of a subanalysis of a larger Cochrane review of psoriasis therapy.¹ Only 20 studies reported the severity of disease: 13 studies looked at moderate to severe scalp psoriasis and the others examined mild to severe disease.

Results were reported as standardized mean differences (SMD) and also converted to a 6-point global improvement scale created by the authors to provide a combined endpoint of provider- or patient-assessed improvement in symptoms such as redness, thickness, and scaling. Higher scores indicate more improvement.

Compared with placebo, the very potent corticosteroid clobetasol propionate improved psoriasis by 1.9 points on the 6-point scale (4 trials, 788 patients; SMD= −1.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], −1.8 to −1.3). The potent steroid betamethasone diproprionate improved symptoms by 1.3 points compared with placebo (2 trials, 712 patients; SMD= −1.1; 95% CI, −1.3 to −0.90).

The topical corticosteroids clobetasol, betamethasone diproprionate, and betamethasone valerate improved symptoms more than the vitamin D₃ analogue calcipotriol in head-to-head trials. The corticosteroid improvement scores exceeded calcipotriol scores by 0.5 points (1 trial, 151 patients; SMD=0.37; 95% CI, 0.05-0.69), 0.6 points (1 trial, 1676 patients; SMD=0.48; 95% CI, 0.32-0.64), and 0.5 points (1 trial, 510 patients; SMD=0.37; 95% CI, 0.20-0.55), respectively.

A very potent or potent topical corticosteroid seems to work better than other topical agents, including vitamin D₃ analogues, for treating scalp psoriasis.

Combination therapy with a vitamin D₃ analogue and a corticosteroid yielded approximately 0.2 points of improvement over corticosteroid alone (6 trials, 2444 patients; SMD= −0.18; 95% CI, −0.26 to −0.10). Four trials of combination therapy (2581 patients) resulted in 0.5 to 1.2 points of improvement compared with vitamin D₃ analogues alone (SMD=0.64; 95% CI, 0.44-0.84). Specific strengths and dosing regimens weren’t reported.

The Cochrane systematic review, using the same outcome reporting methods, provided data on the vitamin D₃ analogue calcipotriol compared with placebo for treating scalp psoriasis.² Calcipotriol resulted in 0.9 points of improvement on the 6-point global improvement scale (2 trials, 457 patients; SMD= −0.72; 95% CI, −1.3 to −0.16).

Very potent corticosteroids show a better response than potent agents

In 2013, a meta-analysis of 13 placebo-controlled RCTs (5640 patients) evaluated topical therapies for scalp psoriasis licensed in the United Kingdom. This meta-analysis included the same placebo-controlled studies as the Cochrane review but added one study published after the search date of the review.³

The outcome reporting was different from the Cochrane review. The primary outcome was percentage of patients with at least moderate scalp psoriasis who achieved clear or nearly clear status on provider assessment scales. All treatments were compared to twice-daily placebo with a response rate of 11%.

Very potent steroids had response rates of 78% for twice-daily application (risk ratio [RR]=7.0; 95% CI, 5.6-8.0) and 69% for once-daily application (RR=6.2; 95% CI, 3.0-8.3). The combination of a vitamin D₃ analogue and a potent corticosteroid showed a response rate of 64% (RR=5.7; 95% CI, 2.4-8.0) whereas response rates for potent corticosteroids alone were 57% (RR=5.0; 95% CI, 1.6-7.8) for once-daily application and 49% (RR=4.4; 95% CI, 2.2-6.7) for twice-daily administration. The authors suggested patient satisfaction at using once daily vs twice daily application as a possible explanation for the difference in response rate.

Vitamin D₃ analogues showed response rates of approximately 34%, which is nonsignificant for once-daily application (RR=3.1; 95% CI, 0.71-6.6) but significant for twice-daily administration (RR=3.1; 95% CI, 1.3-5.9). Exact numbers of studies and participants, as well as specific agents and preparation information, were not included.

Evidence summary

A 2013 meta-analysis of 26 RCTs with 8020 patients evaluated topical treatments for scalp psoriasis as part of a subanalysis of a larger Cochrane review of psoriasis therapy.¹ Only 20 studies reported the severity of disease: 13 studies looked at moderate to severe scalp psoriasis and the others examined mild to severe disease.

Results were reported as standardized mean differences (SMD) and also converted to a 6-point global improvement scale created by the authors to provide a combined endpoint of provider- or patient-assessed improvement in symptoms such as redness, thickness, and scaling. Higher scores indicate more improvement.

Compared with placebo, the very potent corticosteroid clobetasol propionate improved psoriasis by 1.9 points on the 6-point scale (4 trials, 788 patients; SMD= −1.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], −1.8 to −1.3). The potent steroid betamethasone diproprionate improved symptoms by 1.3 points compared with placebo (2 trials, 712 patients; SMD= −1.1; 95% CI, −1.3 to −0.90).

The topical corticosteroids clobetasol, betamethasone diproprionate, and betamethasone valerate improved symptoms more than the vitamin D₃ analogue calcipotriol in head-to-head trials. The corticosteroid improvement scores exceeded calcipotriol scores by 0.5 points (1 trial, 151 patients; SMD=0.37; 95% CI, 0.05-0.69), 0.6 points (1 trial, 1676 patients; SMD=0.48; 95% CI, 0.32-0.64), and 0.5 points (1 trial, 510 patients; SMD=0.37; 95% CI, 0.20-0.55), respectively.

A very potent or potent topical corticosteroid seems to work better than other topical agents, including vitamin D₃ analogues, for treating scalp psoriasis.

Combination therapy with a vitamin D₃ analogue and a corticosteroid yielded approximately 0.2 points of improvement over corticosteroid alone (6 trials, 2444 patients; SMD= −0.18; 95% CI, −0.26 to −0.10). Four trials of combination therapy (2581 patients) resulted in 0.5 to 1.2 points of improvement compared with vitamin D₃ analogues alone (SMD=0.64; 95% CI, 0.44-0.84). Specific strengths and dosing regimens weren’t reported.

The Cochrane systematic review, using the same outcome reporting methods, provided data on the vitamin D₃ analogue calcipotriol compared with placebo for treating scalp psoriasis.² Calcipotriol resulted in 0.9 points of improvement on the 6-point global improvement scale (2 trials, 457 patients; SMD= −0.72; 95% CI, −1.3 to −0.16).

Very potent corticosteroids show a better response than potent agents

In 2013, a meta-analysis of 13 placebo-controlled RCTs (5640 patients) evaluated topical therapies for scalp psoriasis licensed in the United Kingdom. This meta-analysis included the same placebo-controlled studies as the Cochrane review but added one study published after the search date of the review.³

The outcome reporting was different from the Cochrane review. The primary outcome was percentage of patients with at least moderate scalp psoriasis who achieved clear or nearly clear status on provider assessment scales. All treatments were compared to twice-daily placebo with a response rate of 11%.

Very potent steroids had response rates of 78% for twice-daily application (risk ratio [RR]=7.0; 95% CI, 5.6-8.0) and 69% for once-daily application (RR=6.2; 95% CI, 3.0-8.3). The combination of a vitamin D₃ analogue and a potent corticosteroid showed a response rate of 64% (RR=5.7; 95% CI, 2.4-8.0) whereas response rates for potent corticosteroids alone were 57% (RR=5.0; 95% CI, 1.6-7.8) for once-daily application and 49% (RR=4.4; 95% CI, 2.2-6.7) for twice-daily administration. The authors suggested patient satisfaction at using once daily vs twice daily application as a possible explanation for the difference in response rate.

Vitamin D₃ analogues showed response rates of approximately 34%, which is nonsignificant for once-daily application (RR=3.1; 95% CI, 0.71-6.6) but significant for twice-daily administration (RR=3.1; 95% CI, 1.3-5.9). Exact numbers of studies and participants, as well as specific agents and preparation information, were not included.

Evidence summary

A 2013 meta-analysis of 26 RCTs with 8020 patients evaluated topical treatments for scalp psoriasis as part of a subanalysis of a larger Cochrane review of psoriasis therapy.¹ Only 20 studies reported the severity of disease: 13 studies looked at moderate to severe scalp psoriasis and the others examined mild to severe disease.

Results were reported as standardized mean differences (SMD) and also converted to a 6-point global improvement scale created by the authors to provide a combined endpoint of provider- or patient-assessed improvement in symptoms such as redness, thickness, and scaling. Higher scores indicate more improvement.

Compared with placebo, the very potent corticosteroid clobetasol propionate improved psoriasis by 1.9 points on the 6-point scale (4 trials, 788 patients; SMD= −1.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], −1.8 to −1.3). The potent steroid betamethasone diproprionate improved symptoms by 1.3 points compared with placebo (2 trials, 712 patients; SMD= −1.1; 95% CI, −1.3 to −0.90).

The topical corticosteroids clobetasol, betamethasone diproprionate, and betamethasone valerate improved symptoms more than the vitamin D₃ analogue calcipotriol in head-to-head trials. The corticosteroid improvement scores exceeded calcipotriol scores by 0.5 points (1 trial, 151 patients; SMD=0.37; 95% CI, 0.05-0.69), 0.6 points (1 trial, 1676 patients; SMD=0.48; 95% CI, 0.32-0.64), and 0.5 points (1 trial, 510 patients; SMD=0.37; 95% CI, 0.20-0.55), respectively.

A very potent or potent topical corticosteroid seems to work better than other topical agents, including vitamin D₃ analogues, for treating scalp psoriasis.

Combination therapy with a vitamin D₃ analogue and a corticosteroid yielded approximately 0.2 points of improvement over corticosteroid alone (6 trials, 2444 patients; SMD= −0.18; 95% CI, −0.26 to −0.10). Four trials of combination therapy (2581 patients) resulted in 0.5 to 1.2 points of improvement compared with vitamin D₃ analogues alone (SMD=0.64; 95% CI, 0.44-0.84). Specific strengths and dosing regimens weren’t reported.

The Cochrane systematic review, using the same outcome reporting methods, provided data on the vitamin D₃ analogue calcipotriol compared with placebo for treating scalp psoriasis.² Calcipotriol resulted in 0.9 points of improvement on the 6-point global improvement scale (2 trials, 457 patients; SMD= −0.72; 95% CI, −1.3 to −0.16).

Very potent corticosteroids show a better response than potent agents

In 2013, a meta-analysis of 13 placebo-controlled RCTs (5640 patients) evaluated topical therapies for scalp psoriasis licensed in the United Kingdom. This meta-analysis included the same placebo-controlled studies as the Cochrane review but added one study published after the search date of the review.³

The outcome reporting was different from the Cochrane review. The primary outcome was percentage of patients with at least moderate scalp psoriasis who achieved clear or nearly clear status on provider assessment scales. All treatments were compared to twice-daily placebo with a response rate of 11%.

Very potent steroids had response rates of 78% for twice-daily application (risk ratio [RR]=7.0; 95% CI, 5.6-8.0) and 69% for once-daily application (RR=6.2; 95% CI, 3.0-8.3). The combination of a vitamin D₃ analogue and a potent corticosteroid showed a response rate of 64% (RR=5.7; 95% CI, 2.4-8.0) whereas response rates for potent corticosteroids alone were 57% (RR=5.0; 95% CI, 1.6-7.8) for once-daily application and 49% (RR=4.4; 95% CI, 2.2-6.7) for twice-daily administration. The authors suggested patient satisfaction at using once daily vs twice daily application as a possible explanation for the difference in response rate.

Vitamin D₃ analogues showed response rates of approximately 34%, which is nonsignificant for once-daily application (RR=3.1; 95% CI, 0.71-6.6) but significant for twice-daily administration (RR=3.1; 95% CI, 1.3-5.9). Exact numbers of studies and participants, as well as specific agents and preparation information, were not included.