Comparison of Efficacy between Topical Luliconazole and Topical Clotrimazole in the Treatment of Tinea Corporis and Tinea Cruris

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of Tinea Corporis and Tinea Cruris infections are increasing in Bangladesh due to its tropical climate, along with low socio-economic conditions. In treatment of these infections, Clotrimazole has been used for a long time. But Luliconazole is a newer drug which is offering more efficacy and tolerability with a short duration of treatment. Methods: An observational comparative study was directed to assess the efficacy of topical Luliconazole over Clotrimazole in the treatment of Tinea Corporis and Tinea Cruris among the 175 OPD patients of Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital. The patient’s score was followed up by using 4-point scale of Global Assessment Score. Results: The mean age of Group A patients was 33.94±13.95 years and Group B was 32.64±13.15 years and male patients were predominant in both groups (65.2% and 66.3%). Tinea corporis was more prevalent in both groups (65.2% and 70.9%). The mean number of infection lesion was 2.35±1.12 and 2.30±1.13. The mean duration of infections was 3.33±5.98 months and 2.38±3.36 months in respective study groups. Papules found 61.4% and 51.4% among the patients respectively. Based on GAS, at the end of first week of treatment, significant difference in distributions found in case of erythema and papules. At the end of treatment, significant difference in distributions found in case of pruritus and scaling. At the 4 weeks after the end of treatment, significant difference in distributions found in case of pruritus, erythema and scaling (p<0.005). The mean GAS of Group A was 6.95±1.05 at baseline, which gradually decreased to 3.16±1.27, 1.02±1.01 and 0.42±1.32 in respective first, second and third visit. On the other side, in Group B, the mean GAS decreased from 7.21±1.27 to 3.87±1.28, 1.33±1.37 and 1.23±2.01 in respective baseline, first, second and third visit. Complete cure observed more patients in Group A (32.6%) compared to Group B (12.8%) after one weeks of treatment, whereas no response to treatment observed in more patients of Group B (55.8%) compared to Group A (28.1%). These changes in distribution were found significant (p=0.004). At the second visit, complete cure found in 89.9% patients in Group A and 77.9% patients in Group B. These distributions were reached the level of significance (p=0.031). At the last visit, only 2.2% of the completely cured patients of Group A and 16.3% of the completely cured patients of Group B developed relapse of the disease, which was also found significantly (p=0.001). Conclusion: Luliconazole found to be superior in terms of short duration of treatment course, less treatment failure and less relapse compared to that of the Clotrimazole.