Prednisolone vs. Ciclosporine in Severe Atopic Eczema

Prednisolone vs. Ciclosporine in Severe Atopic Eczema

To investigate the comparative efficacy of Ciclosporine A and Prednisolone in adult patients with severe atopic dermatitis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• male and female patients age >= 18 and < 55
• weight between 50 and 100 kg
• confirmed diagnosis of AE (UK working party criteria)
• objective SCORAD > 40
• DLQI > 10
• resistancy against topical treatment options including steroids and calcineurin-inhibitors

Exclusion Criteria:

• participation to another clinical trial within the last 4 weeks before baseline
• pregnant or breastfeeding
• women of childbearing potential without adequate contraception
• allergy against prednisolone or Ciclosporine A
• acute bacterial or viral infection
• malignant tumor in personal history
• diabetes mellitus
• arterial hypertension
• Glaucoma
• peptic ulcer
• severe osteoporosis
• tuberculosis in personal history
• colitis ulcerosa
• diverticulitis
• concurrent treatment with chloroquin, Mefloquin, Statins, Warafin
• Creatinin Clearance < 60 ml /min
• UV treatment within 8 weeks before inclusion
• ongoing systemic immunosuppressive treatment
• planned vaccination within 8 weeks before study entry, during study and 2 weeks after end of study
• Poliomyelitis
• Lymphadenitis after BCG vaccination
• Hyperuricaemia
• chronic liver disease
• Xeroderma pigmentosum, Cockaye-Syndrome, Bloom Syndrome
• Psychiatric co-morbidity
• drug or alcohol abuse