There’s evidence that obesity (among other factors) increases the risk for developing psoriasis.
But do obese psoriasis patients who lose weight respond better to pharmacologic treatment?
First, the details.
- 61 patients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis and a BMI of greater than 30 were randomly assigned to a treatment group for 24 weeks.
- Low dose cyclosporine (Sandimmune) + a low-calorie diet
- Low dose cyclosporine alone (control group)
- The patients knew their treatment; the researchers did not — single blind.
- The response to treatment was measured using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score.
- A PASI of 75 is the benchmark for most studies of psoriasis.
And, the results.
- At week 24, the average reduction in body weight was 7% with cyclosporine + a low-calorie diet vs no change with cyclosporine alone — a significant difference.
- The PASI 75 response was achieved by 67% of patients treated with cyclosporine + a low-calorie diet vs 29% of patients treated with cyclosporine alone — a significant difference.
The bottom line?
The authors concluded, “Lifestyle modifications, including a low-calorie diet, may supplement the pharmacologic treatment of obese psoriasis patients.”
4/2/09 22:40 JR