A Comparative Study on Clinical Response of Topical Tazoretene to Topical Corticosteroids in Chronic Plaque Psoriasis

Tazarotene, the first of new generation receptor selective topical retinoid, currently being investigated and widely used in treatment of mild to moderate psoriasis. The objective of the study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of topical tazarotene gel 0.1% in comparison with corticosteroid mometasone furoate 0.1% cream in treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis. 50 patients of chronic plaque psoriasis enrolled in to the study, were divided into two groups of 25 each randomly. One group received once daily application of tazarotene gel and the other group received mometasone furoate cream once daily. Both the groups received treatment for 12 weeks with evaluation of PASI scores at 0, 8 and 12 weeks. Both tazarotene gel and mometasone cream were significantly effective in reduction of PASI scores both at 8 and 12 weeks of treatment. Mometasone had a greater significant effect than tazarotene in reduction of PASI score and treatment success. Tazarotene was associated with significant reduction in the severity of clinical signs of psoriasis and were found to be safe with acceptable tolerability. Though mometasone furoate was found to be superior to tazarotene, it can still be used in place of corticosteroids for mild to moderate cases to overcome the well known adverse effects of corticosteroids.