Factors Affecting Topical Treatment Success in Pediatric Scabies Cases: A Cross-Sectional Study

• Main Authors: Muazzez Çiğdem Oba (Author), Defne Özkoca (Author), Rana Başara Şahin (Author), Didem Şenses Kazan (Author), Gaye Guldiken (Author), Beril Kara Esen (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Mattioli1885, 2023-10-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 10.5826/dpc.1304a307; 2160-9381
• Keywords: children,; permethrin; scabies; sulfur; treatment; Dermatology; RL1-803
• Source: Dermatology Practical & Conceptual, Vol 13, Iss 4 (2023)

Introduction: Scabies is a common disease affecting the pediatric population. Treatment failure and relapses are frequent. Objectives: We aimed to define factors affecting topical treatment success in pediatric scabies patients. Methods: This multicenter cross-sectional study was performed between April and December 2022. Pediatric scabies cases were classified as treatment failure (TF) versus treatment success (TS). Results: We enrolled 170 patients in the study. In the TF group, the presence of symptomatic household members and referral from physicians other than dermatologists were more common (both p<0,001) and relapse rates and total symptom duration were higher (p=0,007, p<0,001 respectively). Permethrin 5% was more commonly used in the TF group (71.1% versus 25%) (p<0,001); however, the ratio of patients treated with sulfur preparations was significantly higher in the TS group (60.7% vs 16.9%) (p<0,001). Misapplication of topical therapy was significantly more common in the TF group (p<0,001), statistically significant errors being: (i) lack of treatment of close contacts (p<0,001); (ii) single application (p<0,001); and (iii) local application (p=0,027). In a multivariate analysis, treatment success was mainly associated with (i) presence of atopy (O.R.: 5,29, 95% CI: 1,22-25,57) ;(ii) absence of symptomatic household members (O.R.: 5,29, 95% CI: 1,72-16,27); (iii) presentation to dermatologists rather than other specialties (O.R.: 6,08, 95% CI: 1,9-19,51); whereas use of permethrin negatively affected treatment success (O.R: 0,22, 95% CI: 0,07-0,71). Conclusions: Pediatric scabies patients should be treated before other family members get affected and with topicals other than permethrin. Awareness of scabies disease needs to be increased among non-dermatologists.