A randomized, double-blinded trial evaluating the efficacy and tolerability of vectical ointment (calcitriol 3 mcg/g ointment) when compared to betamethasone diproprionate ointment (64 mg/g) in patients with nail psoriasis.

OBJECTIVES

To demonstrate the efficacy and safety of calcitriol ointment (3 mcg/g) compared to betamethasone diproprionate ointment in the treatment of nail psoriasis.

DESIGN

Single-center, double-blind study.

SETTING

One academic center.

PARTICIPANTS

10 adult male and female subjects with psoriasis of the fingernails and/or toenails.

MEASUREMENTS: The primary efficacy evaluation was the absolute reduction of nail thickness (mm) of the target nail. A secondary endpoint was the improvement in the Physician Global Assessment score of disease severity.

RESULTS

Patients treated with either betamethasone diproprionate ointment or calcitriol ointment demonstrated a similar reduction of nail thickness of the selected target nail. The difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (P=0.42).

CONCLUSION

This small study illustrates that calcitriol ointment may be as effective as betamethasone diproprionate in the treatment of nail psoriasis, and its promise should be further investigated in a subsequent larger trial.