Objective To explore the efficacy, safety and recurrence rate of sequential treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis (AD) with topical 0.05% desonide cream and 2% crisaborole ointment.

Methods From July 2021 to August 2022, 179 outpatients with mild to moderate AD in Department of Dermatology of Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University were randomly divided into three groups. Sequential treatment group received topical 0.05% desonide cream for 2 consecutive weeks, followed by 2% crisaborole cream for another 2 weeks. Desonide group received topical 0.05% desonide cream for 2 consecutive weeks, followed by twice a week for another 2 weeks. Crisaborole group received topical 2% crisaborole ointment for 4 consecutive weeks. Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) before and after treatment, clinical efficacy and adverse reactions after treatment were observed among three groups. The recurrence rate 4 weeks after drug discontinuation was compared among three groups.

Results After treatment, there was no significant difference between Sequential treatment group and Desonide group in SCORAD (6.69±6.31 vs 5.39±4.25) and effective rate (82.5% vs 87.5%). However, there was significant difference between Sequential treatment group and Crisaborole group (11.25±8.82 and 54.7%, P=0.002. The recurrence rate and adverse reaction rate in Sequential treatment group, Desonide group and Crisaborole group were 12.8%, 31.0%, 13.8% and 8.8%, 22.9%, 9.4%, respectively, and there was no significant difference among the three groups.

Conclusions Sequential treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis with topical 0.05% desonide cream and 2% crisaborole ointment has excellent clinical efficacy, good safety and low recurrence rate, which is worthy of clinical promotion and application.