Dr Michaels® product family (also branded as Soratinex®) versus Methylprednisolone aceponate - a comparative study of the effectiveness for the treatment of plaque psoriasis.

As one of the most common dermatologic chronic-recurrent disease, variable therapeutic options are available today for management of psoriasis. Although topical high potency corticosteroids, alone or in association with salicylic acid or vitamin D analogues, are still considered the best treatment, they do not seem to possess the capability for a long-term control of the disease or prevent recurrences, as their side effects are major contraindications for continuative use. The aim of this study was to investigate whether Dr. Michaels® product family is comparable to methylprednisolone aceponate (MPA) as a viable alternative treatment option for the treatment and management of stable chronic plaque psoriasis. Thirty adults (13 male, 17 female, mean age 40 years) with mild to severe stable chronic plaque psoriasis, were included in the study. Patients were advised to treat the lesions of the two sides of their body (left and right) with two different unknown modalities for 8 weeks; the pack of Dr. Michaels® products on the left side (consisting of a cleansing gel, an ointment and a skin conditioner) and a placebo pack on the right side, consisting of a cleansing gel, methylprednisolone ointment and a placebo conditioner. Assessment was done using the Psoriasis Activity Severity Index (PASI) scores before treatment and after 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks. The results achieved with the Dr. Michaels® (Soratinex®) product family for the treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis were better than the results achieved with methylprednisolone aceponate (MPA), even though quicker resolution was achieved with the steroid with 45% of patients achieving resolution within 8-10 days in comparison to 5-6 weeks in the Dr. Michaels® (Soratinex®) group. Before therapy, the mean PASI score of the LHS in Dr. Michaels® (Soratinex®) group was 13.8±4.1 SD and 14.2±4.2 SD in the RHS methylprednisolone aceponate (MPA) group. After 8 weeks of treatment 62% of the Dr. Michaels® (Soratinex®) group had achieved resolution whilst in the methylprednisolone aceponate (MPA) group, the figure remained at 45%. The mean PASI score after 8 weeks of treatment was calculated and in the LHS Dr. Michaels® (Soratinex®) group it was 2.8±1.6 SD and 6.8±2.4 SD in the RHS methylprednisolone aceponate group. In the RHS -methylprednisolone aceponate (MPA) group, 22% of patients failed to respond to the treatment in comparison to 6% in the LHS Dr. Michaels® (Soratinex®) group. Based on the results of this study, Dr. Michaels® products are a more effective treatment option, with insignificant side effects, compared to local treatment with methylprednisolone aceponate (MPA).