Abstract
Background: Acyclovir has been reported as a potential therapy for pityriasis rosea (PR) in several clinical trials on the basis of evidence of the involvement of human herpes viruses 6 and 7.
Objective: We evaluated the efficacy of acyclovir for abating PR skin lesions within a fixed period.
Methods: We searched 4 databases for clinical trials that used oral acyclovir to treat PR and performed systematic review and meta-analysis to determine oral acyclovir's effect on skin lesions on the 14th day after commencing treatment.
Results: Five clinical trials including four randomized controlled trials were identified that compared the effects of oral acyclovir (n = 133) and nonacyclovir (n = 140) in patients with PR. Oral acyclovir significantly reduced erythema (odds ratio [OR] 11.30; 95% CI = 5.70-22.41; p < .01) and limited lesion formation (OR 8.67; 95% CI = 3.29-22.81; p < .01) compared with nonacyclovir treatment on the 14th day. These results were in agreement with the results of subgroup analysis of only high-dose oral acyclovir treatment and randomized controlled trials.
Conclusion: Oral acyclovir may be a relatively safe and effective treatment in the early course of PR, and patients with PR may achieve faster symptoms control with acyclovir.
Objective: We evaluated the efficacy of acyclovir for abating PR skin lesions within a fixed period.
Methods: We searched 4 databases for clinical trials that used oral acyclovir to treat PR and performed systematic review and meta-analysis to determine oral acyclovir's effect on skin lesions on the 14th day after commencing treatment.
Results: Five clinical trials including four randomized controlled trials were identified that compared the effects of oral acyclovir (n = 133) and nonacyclovir (n = 140) in patients with PR. Oral acyclovir significantly reduced erythema (odds ratio [OR] 11.30; 95% CI = 5.70-22.41; p < .01) and limited lesion formation (OR 8.67; 95% CI = 3.29-22.81; p < .01) compared with nonacyclovir treatment on the 14th day. These results were in agreement with the results of subgroup analysis of only high-dose oral acyclovir treatment and randomized controlled trials.
Conclusion: Oral acyclovir may be a relatively safe and effective treatment in the early course of PR, and patients with PR may achieve faster symptoms control with acyclovir.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 288 |
| Number of pages | 293 |
| Journal | Journal of Dermatological Treatment |
| Volume | 30 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - May 2019 |