Comparing emollient use with topical luliconazole (azole) in the maintenance of remission of chronic and recurrent dermatophytosis. An open-label, randomized prospective active-controlled non-inferiority study.

BACKGROUND: Literature on emollient use in the management of chronic and recurrent dermatophytosis is limited. OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of emollient in the remission maintenance of chronic and recurrent dermatophytosis. METHODS: In this randomized open-label study with the intention to treat, 80 patients with chronic recurrent dermatophytosis were randomized into two groups, where both groups were treated adequately for 6 weeks, followed by continuation of topical azole in group A and topical emollient in group B for 6 weeks. Clinical remission was determined by disappearance signs and symptoms of tinea lesions with or without hyperpigmentation. Physician and patient global assessment scores were evaluated every 2 weeks for 6 weeks to assess remission maintenance. RESULTS: A total of 80 patients of chronic and recurrent dermatophytosis were assessed for remission maintenance. The recurrence of disease occurred in 20 patients overall, wherein 7 patients (17.5%) in group A and 13 patients (32.5%) in group B at the end of the study (18 weeks); however, the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (p = .121). The mean physician global assessment scores of group A and group B at 12 weeks were 4.45 ± 0.74 and 4.15 ± 0.92, 4.43 ± 0.90 and 4.10 ± 0.98 at 14 weeks, 4.0 ± 1.32 and 3.98 ± 1.23 at 16 weeks, 3.85 ± 1.44 and 3.90 ± 1.35 at 18 weeks, respectively. The mean patient global assessment scores of group A and group B were 4.65 ± 0.62 and 4.25 ± 0.87 at 12 weeks, 4.40 ± 0.87 and 4.17 ± 0.98 at 14 weeks, 4.18 ± 1.15 and 4.12 ± 1.30 at 16 weeks and 3.97 ± 1.33 and 3.90 ± 1.51 at 18 weeks. CONCLUSION: The present study concludes that the efficacy of emollient was not inferior to topical luliconazole for maintaining remission in chronic and recurrent dermatophytosis.