The efficacy and safety of topical 10% potassium hydroxide for molluscum contagiosum: a systematic review and meta-analysis
- Authors
- Heo, Jae Young; Park, Tae Heum; Kim, Woo Il
- Issue Date
- Apr-2022
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- Keywords
- Molluscum contagiosum; potassium hydroxide; placebo
- Citation
- Journal of Dermatological Treatment, v.33, no.3, pp 1682 - 1690
- Pages
- 9
- Journal Title
- Journal of Dermatological Treatment
- Volume
- 33
- Number
- 3
- Start Page
- 1682
- End Page
- 1690
- URI
- https://scholarworks.bwise.kr/sch/handle/2021.sw.sch/22465
- DOI
- 10.1080/09546634.2021.1898527
- ISSN
- 0954-6634
1471-1753
- Abstract
- Background Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is a self-limited cutaneous viral infection. Topical 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) has been used for treating MC. However, it remains unclear whether it is beneficial or not to apply topical 10% KOH for treating MC. Methods To confirm the efficacy and safety of topical 10% KOH compared with placebo as well as other treatments for MC, meta-analysis was used. Up to September 2020, we performed a comprehensive search of literature based on three databases with following keywords including 'molluscum contagiosum' and 'potassium hydroxide'. Results Our meta-analyses demonstrated a significant difference between topical 10% KOH and placebo for complete clearance of MC (RR: 2.96, 95% CI: 1.69 - 5.17, p = .0001), while there were no statistical differences between them in the number of patients with adverse events (RR: 1.73, 95% CI: 0.67 - 4.45, p = .2562). Also, topical 10% KOH was as effective as mechanical treatments for MC (RR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.84 - 1.07, p = .3833). Conclusion We demonstrate that application of topical 10% KOH may be one of effective and appropriate methods for the treatment of MC compared with awaiting spontaneous resolution due to its safety and effectiveness.
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