Northampton Electronic Collection of Theses and Research

Cryotherapy versus salicylic acid for the treatment of plantar warts (verrucae): a randomised controlled trial

Cockayne, S., Hewitt, C., Hicks, K., Jayakody, S., Kang'ombe, A. R., Stamuli, E., Turner, G., Thomas, K., Curran, M., Denby, G., Hasmi, F., McIntosh, C., McLarnon, N., Torgerson, D. and Watt, I. (2011) Cryotherapy versus salicylic acid for the treatment of plantar warts (verrucae): a randomised controlled trial. British Medical Journal (BMJ). , pp. 1-7. 0959-8138.

Item Type: Article
Abstract: Objective: To compare the clinical effectiveness of cyrotherapy versus salicylic acid for the treatment of plantar warts. Design A multicentre, open, two arm randomised controlled trial. Setting University podiatry school clinics, NHS podiatry clinics, and primary care in England, Scotland, and Ireland. Participants 240 patients aged 12 years and over, with a plantar wart that in the opinion of the healthcare professional was suitable for treatment with both cryotherapy and salicylic acid. Interventions Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen delivered by a healthcare professional, up to four treatments two to three weeks apart. Patient self treatment with 50% salicylic acid (Verrugon) daily up to a maximum of eight weeks. Main outcome measures Complete clearance of all plantar warts at 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes were (a) complete clearance of all plantar warts at 12 weeks controlling for age, whether the wart had been treated previously, and type of wart, (b) patient self reported clearance of plantar warts at six months, (c) time to clearance of plantar wart, (d) number of plantar warts at 12 weeks, and (e) patient satisfaction with the treatment. Results There was no evidence of a difference between the salicylic acid and cryotherapy groups in the proportions of participants with complete clearance of all plantar warts at 12 weeks (17/119 (14%) v 15/110 (14%), difference 0.65% (95% CI –8.33 to 9.63), P=0.89). The results did not change when the analysis was repeated but with adjustment for age, whether the wart had been treated previously, and type of plantar wart or for patients’ preferences at baseline. There was no evidence of a difference between the salicylic acid and cryotherapy groups in self reported clearance of plantar warts at six months (29/95 (31%) v 33/98 (34%), difference –3.15% (–16.31 to 10.02), P=0.64) or in time to clearance (hazard ratio 0.80 (95% CI 0.51 to 1.25), P=0.33). There was also no evidence of a difference in the number of plantar warts at 12 weeks (incident rate ratio 1.08 (0.81 to 1.43), P=0.62). Conclusions Salicylic acid and the cryotherapy were equally effective for clearance of plantar warts
Subjects: R Medicine > RD Surgery > RD563 Podiatry
R Medicine > RL Dermatology > RL391 Atrophies. Hypertrophies > RL471 Warts
Creators: Cockayne, Sarah, Hewitt, Catherine, Hicks, Kate, Jayakody, Shalmini, Kang'ombe, Arthur Ricky, Stamuli, Eugena, Turner, Gwen, Thomas, Kim, Curran, Mike, Denby, Gary, Hasmi, Farina, McIntosh, Caroline, McLarnon, Nichola, Torgerson, David and Watt, Ian
Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes: University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Faculty of Health & Society > Podiatry
Faculties > Faculty of Health & Society > Podiatry
Date: 7 June 2011
Date Type: Publication
Page Range: pp. 1-7
Journal or Publication Title: British Medical Journal (BMJ)
Language: English
ISSN: 0959-8138
Status: Published / Disseminated
URI: http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/3677

Actions (login required)

Edit Item Edit Item