PUSTULOSIS PALMARIS ET PLANTARIS

Oral colchicine reduces pustule formation The response of pustulosis palmaris et plantaris (PPP) to treatment with various agents has proved highly variable and often unsatisfactory. 32 patients with PPP not associated with psoriasis were treated at the onset of exacerbation with oral colchicine 0.5-1mg bid with a dosage reduction to 0.25-0.5mg bid as pustulation improved. Maximum treatment was for 8 weeks regardless of the patient's condition. Four patients failed to complete the course because of nausea or diarrhoea and they did not tolerate colchicine even at the reduced dose. One week after starting treatment, more than 90% of the patients showed a slow resolution of pustular lesions. After 8 weeks only 1 patient did not respond to treatment. 13 patients showed complete pustular clearance in an average of 4.9 weeks, and 14 patients showed reduced pustulation in an average of 5 weeks. While 14 patients showed a reduction in or clearing of vesicles, 13 patients showed continuing vesicle formation at the end of colchicine treatment. 18 patients experienced no relapse during· 3 months' follow-up, and relapses in 8 patients were milder than the initial condition before treatment. Addition of corticosteroids as an adjunct to colchicine treatment may provide complete PPP control in some patients, especially those with vesicle formation. Takigawa, M. et al.: Archives ofDermato1ogy 118:458 (Ju1 1982)

8 INPHARMA 14 Aug 1982 0156-2703/82{0703-0003/0$01.00{0 "' ADIS Press