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American Academy of Dermatology Meeting
March 12, 2013
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Obese patients who lost weight responded better to treatment for plaque psoriasis

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Obese patients with chronic plaque psoriasis who lost moderate weight increased their response to topical therapy, according to research presented at the American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting.

“Weight reduction with a very low-calorie diet in obese patients with chronic stable plaque-type psoriasis increases therapeutic response, improves quality of life, rash and overall satisfaction, decreases triglycerides and has a tendency to decrease their atherogenic index,” researcher Wanjarus Roongpisuthipong, MD, of the dermatology division, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand, told Healio.com.

Wanjarus Roongpisuthipong, MD 

Wanjarus Roongpisuthipong

In a 24-week clinical trial, researchers studied 10 obese patients (body mass index >30 kg/m2) with chronic stable plaque psoriasis. Efficacy was compared between baseline and after 12 weeks of a low-calorie diet and topical treatment for psoriasis. The Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) was used as the primary measure of clinical response at weeks 12 and 24.

Patients’ mean reduction in body weight at week 12 was 9.69% (± 2.63%). Fifty percent of patients showed improvement of 50% or greater in mean PASI from baseline (3.19 vs. 5.71; P=.017). Improvements in global assessment by physicians and patients, and in the Dermatology Life Quality Index paralleled PASI improvements.

“Lifestyle modifications, including a low-calorie diet, may supplement the pharmacologic treatment of obese psoriasis patients,” the researchers concluded.

For more information: Roongpisuthipong W. P5934 – The effect of weight loss in obese patients with chronic stable plaque-type psoriasis. Presented at: American Academy of Dermatology 2013 Annual Meeting; March 1-5, Miami Beach, Fla.