F Vincent1, J B Ross, M Dalton, A J Wort. 1. Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, N.S., Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: After the publication of an uncontrolled trial of nine patients with streptococcus-associated psoriasis who appeared to benefit from a course of oral penicillin or erythromycin with the addition of rifampin in the last 5 days, we wished to confirm or refute the validity of this observation. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to confirm the effectiveness of antibiotics in the treatment of streptococcus-associated psoriasis. METHODS:Twenty patients were placed randomly into two groups. One group was given penicillin or erythromycin for 14 days with a placebo added during the last 5 of the 14 days. The other group received the same medication with the addition of rifampin in the last 5 days. RESULTS: Although all the patients studied met the criteria of the reported preliminary study, we were unable to detect any evidence of improvement in their psoriasis. CONCLUSION: There was no apparent benefit for patients with streptococcus-associated psoriasis from a course of oral penicillin or erythromycin with the addition of rifampin in the last 5 days in a 14-day trial.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: After the publication of an uncontrolled trial of nine patients with streptococcus-associated psoriasis who appeared to benefit from a course of oral penicillin or erythromycin with the addition of rifampin in the last 5 days, we wished to confirm or refute the validity of this observation. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to confirm the effectiveness of antibiotics in the treatment of streptococcus-associated psoriasis. METHODS: Twenty patients were placed randomly into two groups. One group was given penicillin or erythromycin for 14 days with a placebo added during the last 5 of the 14 days. The other group received the same medication with the addition of rifampin in the last 5 days. RESULTS: Although all the patients studied met the criteria of the reported preliminary study, we were unable to detect any evidence of improvement in their psoriasis. CONCLUSION: There was no apparent benefit for patients with streptococcus-associated psoriasis from a course of oral penicillin or erythromycin with the addition of rifampin in the last 5 days in a 14-day trial.