P10.133 A RETROSPECTIVE ASSESSMENT OF RESPONSE TO TREATMENT WITH 1% PYRITHIONE ZINC SHAMPOO IN AFRICAN AMERICANS WITH MODERATE TO SEVERE DANDRUFF/SEBORRHEIC DERMATITIS

Ward L. Billhimer, Megan A. Copas

The Procter & Gamble Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Objectives: Racial differences in skin structure and physiology can affect responses to dermatological and topically applied products. Dandruff prevalence and severity have been reported to be higher in African Americans than in other races.  This study examines the response to treatment of African Americans who participated in antidandruff clinical efficacy trials between 1998 and 2003 and were treated with a shampoo containing 1% pyrithione zinc (PtZ).

Methods: Seven studies were reviewed yielding 40 African American subjects with moderate to severe dandruff/seborrheic dermatitis and assigned to use a 1% PtZ shampoo for either 3 or 6 weeks. Adherent scalp flaking scores from baseline and post-treatment evaluations (Week 2, 3 and/or 6) were examined to assess dandruff reduction.

Results: Thirty-six subjects had been evaluated after 2 weeks of shampoo use; while thirty-five subjects were evaluated after 3 weeks and fourteen were evaluated after 6 weeks of shampoo use.

72% of the subjects exhibited a reduction in dandruff after 2 weeks of treatment with the PtZ shampoo.  After 3 weeks of treatment, 86% had responded positively.  This proportion held through 6 weeks of treatment. Among respondents, the mean reduction from baseline in adherent scalp flaking scores following 2, 3 and 6 weeks of treatment was 15.1, 16.5, and 20.8, respectively.  This represents a general change in scalp condition from moderate/severe dandruff/seborrheic dermatitis to mild/no dandruff.

Conclusions: This retrospective study suggests a large percentage of African Americans with moderate to severe dandruff/seborrheic dermatitis generally respond well to treatment with antidandruff shampoo containing 1% PtZ, receiving a significant improvement in their dandruff condition. The degree of dandruff relief received and the proportion of respondents in this African American population are similar to that observed in the general population of dandruff patients.