COMPARATIVE STUDY OF EFFICACY OF COMBINED TREATMENT WITH KETOCONAZOLE 2% CREAM AND ADAPALENE 0.1% GEL VS. KETOCONAZOLE 2% CREAM MONOTHERAPY IN PITYRIASIS VERSICOLOR

Abstract

Background: Pityriasis Versicolor (PV) is an infection of the superficial layers of skin caused by Malassezia yeasts.  It is a non-contagious disease characterized by hypo and hyperpigmented macules on the body. Up to 40% of people face itching, decreased quality of life, social stigmatization, and embarrassment due to the lesions. Adapalene with Ketoconazole provides an efficient option for PV patients due to better toxicity profile and rapid action on the lesions. Objective: Comparison of efficacy of combined therapy with Ketoconazole 2% cream and adapalene 1% gel against Ketoconazole 2% cream monotherapy in Pityriasis Versicolor. Methods: Total 90 patients (45 in each group) were included in the study. Group-A was treated with combination of Ketoconazole 2% cream &  adapalene 1% gel while group-B was given Ketoconazole 2% cream monotherapy. Study design was randomized controlled trial and SPSS version 26 was used for data analysis. Results: Mean age of the patients was 24.3±4.3 and 23.3±3.9 years in group-A and B, respectively. There were 30 males (66.7%) & 15 females (33.3%) in group-A while 35 males (77.8%) and 10 females (22.2%) in group-B. Mean duration of disease was 2.0±0.9 months in group-A & 2.3±1.2 months in group-B.The efficacy of combined therapy   with Ketoconazole 2% cream & adapalene 1% gel was found to be better when compared with Ketoconazole 2% cream monotherapy in Pityriasis Versicolor. Difference between two groups (p=0.011) was statistically significant. Conclusion: It was concluded that adapalene 0.1% gel & ketoconazole 2% cream in combination is more effective than ketoconazole 2% cream monotherapy in the treatment of PV. Recommendation: It is recommended to use a combination of adapalene 0.1% gel & ketoconazole 2% cream than ketoconazole 2% cream monotherapy in the treatment of PV.