Clobetasone butyrate safe and effective for SS

Low doses of clobetasone butyrate drops are safe and effective for Sjögren syndrome (SS), claims an investigation.

A team headed by Dr P. Aragona, Ocular Surface Unit, Department of Surgical Specialties, University of Messina, Italy, conducted a prospective, double-masked, randomized, placebo-controlled study on 40 SS patients.

All subjects were randomized into two treatment groups: a 2% polyvinylpyrrolidone eyedrops and placebo group (Group 1) and a 2% polyvinylpyrrolidone and 0.1% clobetasone butyrate group (Group 2). Treatment was administered for 30 days with visits at enrolment, baseline, day 15, day 30, and after 15 days post-treatment.

Each visit consisted of a symptoms questionnaire, fundus examinations and measurements of tear film break-up time corneal fluorescein stain, lissamine green stain, conjunctival impression cytology for human leukocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR) expression and IOP.

There were no recorded changes in IOP or fundus examination in either group at any time. However, group 1 presented a statistically significant amelioration of symptoms and reduction of HLA-DR expression.

Group 2 demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in corneal and conjunctival stain at day 15, compared to baseline measurements and group 1 results. HLA-DR expression and epithelial cells area in group 2 were statistically significantly reduced compared to baseline and group 1.

Clobetasone butyrate, when administered at a low dosage of 0.1%, is a safe and effective treatment for SS. It was also concluded that anti-inflammatory therapy is crucial for the treatment of SS dry eye.

To read more please visit the European Journal of Ophthalmology.