Atorvastatin for the treatment of plaque-type psoriasis.
Author(s): Faghihi T, Radfar M, Mehrabian Z, Ehsani AH, Rezaei Hemami M.
Affiliation(s): Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of
Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Publication date & source: 2011, Pharmacotherapy. , 31(11):1045-50
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To explore the efficacy and safety of oral atorvastatin for the
treatment of plaque-type psoriasis.
DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
SETTING: University-affiliated psoriasis outpatient clinic in Iran.
PATIENTS: Forty-two patients aged 16-60 years with a diagnosis of acute or
chronic plaque-type psoriasis with body surface area (BSA) involvement of greater
than 10% were enrolled; 40 completed the study. Intervention. Oral atorvastatin
40 mg/day (20 patients) or placebo (20 patients) was administered for 12 weeks;
patients' topical therapies with emollients, keratolytics, and/or class V
corticosteroids were continued during the study period.
MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and
percentage BSA involvement were used to assess the efficacy of therapy. Mean ± SD
baseline PASI scores were 7.42 ± 1.90 and 6.92 ± 1.76 in the atorvastatin and
placebo groups, respectively. The primary outcomes were the degree of change in
PASI scores and percentage BSA involvement from baseline to week 12. Significant
improvement in psoriasis lesions was observed in both the atorvastatin and
placebo groups (p<0.001 for both groups). A 75% improvement in PASI score (PASI
75) was achieved in 8 patients (40%) in the atorvastatin group and 7 patients
(35%) in the placebo group. However, no statistically significant differences
were noted between the two treatment groups in mean PASI score, percentage BSA
involvement, and PASI 75. In terms of adverse effects, atorvastatin was well
tolerated.
CONCLUSION: Oral atorvastatin 40 mg/day was not associated with therapeutic
benefit when given to patients with baseline PASI scores less than 12 who were
also treated with standard topical therapies. Additional trials are needed to
elucidate the place of statins for the treatment of psoriasis. A larger follow-up
study, as well as testing atorvastatin in patients with more intensive disease
characterized by high PASI scores, is needed. Studies using higher atorvastatin
doses or dose-ranging studies should also be performed.
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