Pharmacology and Treatment

Background: The therapy of disseminated granuloma annulare has often limited success. Treatment of granuloma annulare with fumaric acid esters (FAE) has recently been reported to be effective in 2 patients. Objectives: To assess the effi cacy of a systemic therapy with FAE in consecutive patients with disseminated granuloma annulare. Methods: Eight patients with disseminated granuloma annulare were treated with FAE in tablet form according to the standard therapy regimen used in psoriasis. The colour and the elevation of the skin lesions were assessed by a visual analogue scale before and after therapy. Results: Systemic therapy with FAE induced a signifi cant clinical improvement in elevation and colour of skin lesions, with remission in 3 and partial remission in 4 patients. One patient remained unchanged. Side-effects associated with the therapy were seen in 6 patients. Conclusions: Systemic therapy with FAE can be effective in patients suffering from disseminated forms of granuloma annulare, but side-effects of FAE have to be taken into consideration. Copyright © 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel Received: June 3, 2004 Accepted: September 24, 2004 PD Dr. B. Eberlein-König Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie und Allergologie am Biederstein Technische Universität München, Biedersteiner Strasse 29 DE–80802 München (Germany), Tel. +49 89 4140 3324, Fax +49 89 4140 3526 E-Mail [email protected] © 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel 1018–8665/05/2103–0223$22.00/0 Accessible online at: www.karger.com/drm Fax +41 61 306 12 34 E-Mail [email protected]